Assistant Director of LGBT+ Programs to Receive National Award

Matt Johns, assistant director of LGBT+ Programs at the Galerstein Women’s Center, has been selected to receive a national award for his contribution to gender and sexuality issues in higher education.

Johns will receive the Service to Student Affairs Award from the Gender & Sexuality Knowledge Community of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) at a conference Tuesday, March 14, in San Antonio.

Johns became UT Dallas’ first assistant director of LGBT+ Programs in September.

“Our goal is to offer programs that better our entire community so that everyone feels the campus climate is welcoming to all, regardless of gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation,” Johns said.

Johns chairs the LEAP (LGBT+ Education, Advocacy & Programming) Working Group, under the Galerstein Women’s Center, which works to provide a safe and inclusive campus environment that respects the sexual orientation and gender identity and expression of students, staff and faculty.

LEAP projects include training sessions for Safe Zone allies who will provide support, resources and guidance for LGBT+ people, and mini-workshops on topics such as LGBT+ 101 and Everyday Sexism.

NASPA has 15,000 members in all 50 states and 25 countries, and works to advance the student affairs profession by recognizing achievements and supporting research of student affairs leaders, scholars and practitioners.

The organization’s Gender & Sexuality Knowledge Community focuses on promoting increased awareness, understanding and acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender professionals and students.