(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)February 4, 2013

(MAHWAH, NJ) – Ramapo College will host the 12th Annual LGBTQA Leadership Conference on Friday, Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. through 9 p.m. in SC-219. For the past 11 years, Northern New Jersey has held a regional LGBTQA college leadership conference. This year, the conference includes a lecture from keynote speaker Mara Keisling, three workshops, dinner and will end with an Equality Ball. This conference serves as a one-day educational and leadership development opportunity for college students and the surrounding area. 

The theme of the 2013 conference is “Equality: Challenge Accepted.” The conference will bring together several hundred participants from across the tri-state area to explore the courage it takes to build a united and inclusive movement for LGBTQA equality. Conference speakers and workshops will challenge paradigms that have traditionally marginalized voices within the community. Attendees will gain new friends for networking and collaboration, learn about equality initiatives taking place at other campuses and become empowered with tips and tools for challenging injustice. 

Keisling is the founding executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington, D.C. Keisling is a transgender-identified woman, a parent and one of the leading voices for transgender equality in the country. She has appeared on news outlets such as CNN and CSPAN and is regularly quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post and hundreds of other national and local print and electronic media. A graduate of Penn State University, she did her graduate work at Harvard University in American Government. Keisling has served on the board of Directors of Common Roads, an LGBTQ Youth Group and on the steering committee of the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition.

“I am thrilled that Ramapo has the opportunity to serve as the host campus for this conference,” said Kat McGee, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement and coordinator of the Women’s Center at Ramapo. “This is a wonderful chance for Ramapo students to hear a nationally recognized keynote speaker, develop their leadership skills and network with other LGBTQA leaders and allies across New Jersey.

“The theme ‘Equality: Challenge Accepted’ was inspired by an Internet meme popular with students. The meme depicts various situations where a highly difficult task is presented to someone who chooses to embrace this challenge against all odds. I think this speaks to the courage and unshakable optimism required for any social justice movement. Full equality for LGBTQA citizens is certainty a challenge, but it is one that many of today’s college students strive towards enthusiastically.”

Admission to the conference is free with online registration at https://orgsync.com/5737/forms/64946 and if a current high school, college or university ID is presented the day of the conference. Free online registration will be available until Sunday, Feb. 3. The conference is $10 without a current school ID. Late registration will be available in-person the day of the conference for a cost of $10 regardless if a school ID is presented.

For more information please contact Chairperson for the conference, Kat McGee, at kmcgee@ramapo.edu.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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