The safe space program helps those students of the LGBTQ+ community on the Wilkes campus to identify a supportive faculty/staff member or student group. The visibility of the safe space sticker allows the campus community to identify faculty/staff members and know that they can speak freely with these individuals about LGBTQ+ issues.
Dr. Mark Allen
Associate Vice President for Student Life and Success
Student Affairs
Passan Hall Thir Floor
mark.allen@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4103
Dr. Mischelle Anthony
Associate Professor
English
Kirby Hall 301
mischelle.anthony@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4529
Kelly Beishline
Associate Director
Human Resources
10 East South Street Suite A
kelly.beishline@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3356
Carol Bosack Kosek
Director
Career Services
Ctr for Career Dev/ Internship First Floor
carol.bosack@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4063
Anita Burns
Health Services Assistant
Health and Wellness Services
Passan Hall First Floor
anita.burns@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4730
Cory Burrell
Associate Director Web Services
Marketing Communications
Weckesser Hall Room #303
cory.burrell@freoreport.net
(570) 408-7892
Dr. Chelsea Chamberlain
Assistant Professor
Global Cultures
Breiseth Hall 109
chelsea.chamberlain@freoreport.net
(570) 408-5470
Justin Collins
Director of Admissions and Student Affairs
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Stark Learning Center 117D
justin.collins@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4122
Ashleigh Crispell
Assistant Director Creative
Marketing Communications
Weckesser Hall Room 314
ashleigh.crispell@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3825
Jacki Eovitch
Associate Director of Communications Admissions and Special Projects
Marketing Communications
Weckesser Hall 308
jacqueline.eovitch@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4135
Robert Eskra
Esports Manager
Integrative Media
Breiseth Hall Room 011
robert.eskra@freoreport.net
(570) 408-7703
Dr. Evene Estwick
Associate Professor/Chair
Communication Studies
141 South Main 106
evene.estwick@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4161
Dr. Jon Ference
Dean
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Stark Learning Center 117
jonathan.ference@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4271
Dr. Matt Finkenbinder
Associate Professor
Earth Systems Science
Cohen Science Center 424
matthew.finkenbinder@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3871
Melissa Gaudio
Licensed Professional Counselor
Wilkes University Counseling Center
Passan Hall Second Floor Room 204
melissa.gaudio@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4358
Lauren Gentilesco
Conservatory Coordinator
Music Conservatory
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center room 110
lauren.gentilesco@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4426
Dr. Mohsen Ghamari
Associate Professor
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Stark Learning Center 366
mohsen.ghamari@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3319
Dr. Jamal Ghorieshi
Professor
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Stark Learning Center 156
jamal.ghorieshi@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4889
Dr. Thomas Hamill
Professor and Chair
English
Kirby Hall 201
thomas.hamill@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4539
Dr. Joshua Harper
Assistant Professor of Music Choral
Performing Arts
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center Room 305
joshua.harper@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4434
Dr. Todd Hastings
Assistant Professor
Undergraduate Nursing
Stark Learning Center SLC N218
todd.hastings@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4090
Julia Jacien
Experiential Program Coordinator
Pharmacy Practice
Stark Learning Center 336
julia.jacien@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4290
Dr. Saritha Karnae
Associate Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Stark Learning Center Room 154
saritha.karnae@freoreport.net
(570) 408-5566
Juli Killian
Coordinator
Health and Wellness Services
Passan Hall
juli.killian@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4733
Annet Kaminski
Administrative Assistant
Sidhu School of Business
Simms Center on Main Room 216G
annet.kaminski@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4725
Elizabeth Leo
General Counsel and Title IX Coordinator
Presidents Office
Weckesser Hall 204
elizabeth.leo@freoreport.net
(570) 408-7788
Dr. Ming Lew
Associate Professor
Math Physics and Computer Science
Stark Learning Center 418
veeming.lew@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4844
Shawn Loyack
Director
Undergraduate Admissions
Chase Hall 105
shawn.loyack@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4722
Dr. Del Lucent
Associate Professor
Math Physics and Computer Science
Stark Learning Center 441c
del.lucent@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4834
Lt Col Josh Lyons
Commander ROTC Det 752
AFROTC
Hollenback Hall 302A
joshua.lyons@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4903
Dr. Blake Mackesy
Associate Professor
EDD Education Doctorate
Breiseth Hall 200
blake.mackesy@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4157
Jen Malinowski
Assoc Dean, Academic Affairs
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Jen McLaughlin
Assistant Director
Honors Program
Stark Learning Center SLC 262
jennifer.mclaughlin1@freoreport.net
(570) 408-7831
Dr. Mary McManus
Associate Professor
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Stark Learning Center 319E
mary.mcmanus@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4273
Jared Menghini
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Undergraduate Admissions
Chase Hall 220
jared.menghini@freoreport.net
(570) 408-5627
Dr. Ellen Newell
Associate Professor
Psychology
Breiseth Hall 304
ellen.newell@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4568
Diane O'Brien
Director
Health and Wellness Services
Passan Hall First Floor First Floor
diane.obrien@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4734
Julia Panzitta
Associate Director
Institutional Research
10 East South Street Suite B
julia.panzitta@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3828
Amy Patton
Associate Director
Undergraduate Admissions
Chase Hall 205
amy.patton@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4407
Dr. Linda Paul
Assoc. Professor Philosophy
Global Cultures
Breiseth Hall 110A
linda.paul@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4243
Megan Pitts
Director University Events and Engagement
Marketing Communications
Henry Student Center 202
megan.pitts@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4410
Kristina Powers Pharm.D
Director Experiential Programs
Pharmacy Practice
Stark Learning Center 336 Pharmacy Practice Office
kristina.powers@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3293
Jill Price
Adventure Ed Coordinator
Student Development
Henry Student Center
jill.price@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4036
Jeanne Rabel
Director of Specialized Programs
Student Affairs
Passan Hall 306
jeanne.rabel@freoreport.net
(570) 408-5884
Cody Raspen
Web Services Specialist
Marketing Communications
Weckesser Hall Room 303
cody.raspen@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4929
Maria Richards PsyD.
Director/Psychologist
Wilkes University Counseling Center
Passan Hall Room 212
maria.richards@freoreport.net
(570) 408-6210
Andrea Rizzo
Office Assistant
Social Science
Breiseth Hall Rm 327
andrea.rizzo@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4040
Roberta Shaffer
Residence Life Assistant
Residence Life
Max Roth Hall 2nd Floor
roberta.shaffer@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4350
LynnMarie Shedlock
Human Resources Manager Employee Relations and Development
Human Resources
10 East South Street Suite A
lynnmarie.shedlock@freoreport.net
(570) 408-2034
Teri Shovlin
Assistant to the Dean
College of Business and Engineering
Simms Center on Main Room 216E
teresita.shovlin@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4719
Kelly Siegfried
Senior Associate Director Digital Strategy Systems and Reporting
Enrollment Operations
Capin Hall 305
kelly.siegfried@freoreport.net
(570) 408-5125
Heather Sincavage
Associate Professor/Director Sordoni Art Gallery
Integrative Media
Karambelas Media and Comm Ctr 139A
heather.sincavage@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3365
Maryellen Sloat
Office Assistant
Performing Arts
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center 125
maryellen.sloat@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4420
Michelle Strickland
Manager for Academic Operations and Executive Assistant for Office of SVP and Provost
Provost Office
Weckesser Hall 207
michelle.strickland@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4116
Dr. Jennifer Thomas
Professor
Psychology
Breiseth Hall Breiseth Hall 303A
jennifer.thomas@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4567
Jason Wagner
Software Developer
Provost Office
Conyngham Hall 309
jason.wagner1@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3859
Dr. David Ward
Senior Vice President/Provost
Provost Office
Weckesser Hall 205
david.ward@freoreport.net
(570) 408-3882
Dr. Faith Wellings
Assistant Professor
Pharmacy Practice
Stark Learning Center 325
faith.wellings@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4292
Dr. Andy Wilczak
Associate Professor and Associate Dean, of Arts and Sciences
Sociology / Criminology
Breiseth Hall Breiseth Hall 325
andrew.wilczak@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4041
Dr. Linda Winkler
Professor Anthropology
Global Cultures
Breiseth Hall 112
linda.winkler@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4605
Gretchen Yeninas
Dean, for Student Life
Student Affairs
Passan Hall 314
gretchen.yeninas@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4107
Dr. Chris Zarpentine
Assoc. Prof. Philosophy/Chair
Global Cultures
Breiseth Hall 110B
christoph.zarpentine@freoreport.net
(570) 408-4597
The program is completely voluntary. The reason why we are offering these sessions is because we want to educate ourselves about LGBTQ+ issues and concerns and how they relate to colleges and universities. There will be two ways this program will be offered: Safe Space Ally Training and LGBTQ+ awareness training. The sessions are offered to faculty/staff and students.
What is the Safe Space Program?
Surveys indicates that a majority of LGBTQ+ students do not feel safe at school out of fear for personal safety. Students who can identify a supportive faculty/staff member or student group are more likely to feel a sense of belonging at their school than those who cannot. For many students, the presence of allies to whom they can turn for support - or even the simple knowledge that allies exist - can be a big factor in developing to improve school climate. Safe Space programs increase the visible presence of students and adults allies who can help to shape a school culture that is accepting of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, or any other difference.
In the Safe Space Ally training session, we will provide participants with the tools to take action against negative attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community on and off campus. “In the most general sense, an “Ally” “is” a person who is a member of the dominant or majority group who works to end oppression in his or her personal and professional life through support of, and as an advocate for, the oppressed population.”(Washington and Evans, Becoming an Ally) Participants in the Ally training will receive a Safe Space sign and / or button to display and may choose to be listed in our online Ally registry.
LGBTQ+ awareness training introduces participants to terminology that is used in the LGBTQ+ community and includes discussions of different scenarios. The Ally program will also be introduced so that those who attend the Safe Space training will know about the Ally program and can sign up for Ally training if interested.
Safe Space Mission
- To foster an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students, and their allies.
- To provides educational opportunities, advocacy, and programming for students, faculty, and staff on the Wilkes University campus.
- To aspire that Safe Space will help develop and support inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality, as well as foster a community that is open, safe, and supportive.
What Can You Do As An Ally
Get Involved!
- Display your Safe Space Sticker! The sticker indicates that, within your office or room, homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions will not be tolerated silently, but instead will be addressed in an educational and nonthreatening manner. The sticker does not indicate whether or not you are LGBTQA; it merely states that you are an Ally.
- Support policies that bring equity to and give open support to LGBTQA issues.
- Encourage others to become a part of Safe Space.
- Attend Safe Space training to further increase your knowledge and awareness.
- Pay attention to the words people use to describe themselves. Not everyone identifies as “gay”, “lesbian”, “homosexual,” etc.
- Do not assume that a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person is attracted to you just because they have disclosed their sexual identity.
- Respect the desire for secrecy of a person you know to be gay, lesbian or bisexual. Do not “out” someone.
- Speak out against statements and jokes that attack LGBTQA people. Letting others know that you find anti-LGBTQA statements and jokes offensive and unacceptable can go a long away towards reducing homophobia.
Resources
Campus Resources
- Safe Space | safespace@freoreport.net
- Office of Diversity Initiatives | diversity@freoreport.net
- Wilkes Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) | Facebook page external website
Community Resources
National Resources
- National Gay Lesbian Task Force external website
- Human Rights Campaign external website
- Parent, Families and Friends of Lesbian And Gays external website
- National Black Justice Coalition external website
- LGBTQArchitect external website
- Consortium external website
- Gay Asian Pacific Support Network external website
- Campus Pride external website
- Sexual Orientation: The desire for intimate emotional and sexual relationships with people of the same sex (homosexual), the other sex (heterosexual), or both sexes (bisexual).
- Gender Identity: A person’s sense of being male or female.
- Gay: The adjective used to describe people who are physically romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to people of the same sex.
- Lesbian: A woman whose enduring physical, romantic, emotional and/or spiritual attraction is to other women.
- Bisexual: An individual who is physically, romantically, emotionally and/or spiritually attracted to men and women.
- Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from sex they were assigned at birth.
- Transsexual: A person who has changed, or is in the process of changing, his or her physical sex to conform to his or her internal sense of gender identity.
- Heterosexism: The assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and that heterosexuality is superior to homosexuality or bisexuality.
- Questioning: A term or period where an individual re-assesses (however privately or openly) the orientation/identity that they have either asserted for themselves, or been brought up as.
- Intersex: Describing a person whose biological sex is ambiguous.
- LGBTQA: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Ally.