Allies List
Visibility of the support provided to our campus community, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is vital to our culture of growth at WKU. The faculty and staff included in our Allies List have pledged to be advocates to our LGBTQIA+ campus community. If you are looking for LGBTQIA+ friendly faculty or staff members on campus that you can rely on, start here! Any Faculty/Staff that identify as an Ally to the LGBTQIA+ Community OR are a member of the LGBTQIA+ Community are welcome to add their name to the Allies List.
Safe Zone: For novice learners seeking to become an Ally, or those seeking a refresher, Safe Zone is an opportunity to learn about the LGBTQ+ community by reviewing common LGBTQ+ terms, defining sexuality and gender, examining privilege, and exploring how to build inclusive and safe environments at WKU. Offered at least once a semester, Safe Zone training is based on the curriculum provided by TheSafeZoneProject.org. Safe Zone is for Faculty and Staff, and when requested, for students. Anyone can lead the Safe Zone training, though traditionally it’s hosted by the Counseling Center.
Safe Zone II: Ally to Advocate: Will offer participants a chance to learn ways to deepen their advocacy for LGBTQ+ students. Built from concerns and questions heard in previous Safe Zone I trainings, participants will learn techniques to feel more confident in creating inclusive classrooms and spaces on campus. Participants will hear from a panel of LGBTQ+ students’ experiences on campus, then find solutions to better support those students in and out of the classroom. Join us to learn how to make an impact for LGBTQ+ students in the classroom, on campus, and in our community.
Add Your Name to the Allies List
If you are a faculty or staff member at the Western Kentucky University and would like for YOUR name to be included on the Allies List.
All individuals who have added their name to this list have provided a base-level of information to assist them in serving as LGBTQ+ Allies. Please review the campus pride resource sheet for more information.
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Academic Program Marketing | Michael Bland | michael.bland@wku.edu | ||
Mariya Merkley | mariya.merkley@wku.edu | |||
Jackson Quinn | jackson.quinn@wku.edu | |||
Advising & Career Development Center |
Brian Ahern | brian.ahern@wku.edu | ||
Tina Ahern | tina.ahern@wku.edu | |||
Marrissa Bryant | marrissa.bryant@wku.edu | |||
Crystal Bufano | crystal.bufano@wku.edu | |||
Paige Hiltner | paige.hiltner@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Marybeth Hunt | marybeth.hunt@wku.edu | |||
Christopher Jensen | christopher.jensen@wku.edu | |||
Jason Linville | jason.linville@wku.edu | |||
Suzanne Moore | suzanne.moore@wku.edu | |||
Joseph Shoulders | joseph.shoulders@wku.edu | |||
Morgan Smith | morgan.smith@wku.edu | |||
Heather Stuart | heather.stuart@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Kassy Sweeney | kassy.sweeney@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Emma Toledo-Wittry | emma.toledo@wku.edu | |||
Bertena Varney | bertena.varney@wku.edu | |||
Athletics |
Chase Bitowf | chase.bitowf@wku.edu | ||
Meagan Chapman | meagan.chapman@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Rebecca Collins | rebecca.collins1@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Paula Davids | paula.davids@wku.edu | |||
Campus Recreation & Wellness | Kate Dennis | kate.dennis@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning |
Jay Carroll | jay.carroll@wku.edu | ||
Micah Logan | micah.logan@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Kathryn Matheson | kathryn.matheson@wku.edu | |||
Cierra Waller | cierra.waller@wku.edu | |||
Morgan Wilkerson | morgan.wilkerson@wku.edu | |||
Continuing and Professional Development | Kyanna Edmonds | kyanna.edmonds@wku.edu | ||
Loren Gaskin | loren.gaskin@wku.edu | |||
Counseling Center |
Peggy Crowe | peggy.crowe@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Mariya Fye | mariya.fye@wku.edu | |||
Katie Knackmuhs | katie.knackmuhs@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Karl Laves | karl.laves@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Elizabeth Madariaga | elizabeth.madariaga@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Masami Matsuyuki | masami.matsuyuki@wku.edu | |||
Division of Strategy, Operations and Finance | Modona May | madona.may@wku.edu | ||
Enrollment & Student Experience | Scott Taylor | scott.taylor@wku.edu | ||
Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science |
Lynette Breedlove | lynette.breedlove@wku.edu | ||
Marissa Bruce | marissa.bruce@wku.edu | |||
Allen Clark | allen.clark@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Sam Earls | samuel.earls@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Jamie Garden | jamie.garden@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Laura King | laura.king@wku.edu | |||
Cheryl Kirby-Stokes | cheryl.kirby-stokes@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Emma Looney | emma.looney@wku.edu | |||
Kari Lynn Somers | kari.somers@wku.edu | |||
Ashley Taylor | ashley.taylor@wku.edu | |||
Noah Wills | noah.wills@wku.edu | |||
Housing & Residence Life |
Journey Adams | journey.adams@wku.edu | ||
Becca Blanton | rebecca.blanton@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Mitchell Bumpus | mitchell.bumpus@wku.edu | |||
Katie Corbin | katie.corbin@wku.edu | |||
Ginny Hensley | ginny.hensley@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Kirsten Hooks | kirsten.hooks@wku.edu | |||
Rob Kelley | rob.kelley@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Lana Kunkel | lana.kunkel@wku.edu | |||
Melanie Lucas | melanie.lucas@wku.edu | |||
Austin Smith | austin.smith@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Miles Smith | miles.smith@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Natalie Smith | natalie.smith@wku.edu | |||
Doug Tate | douglas.tate@wku.edu | |||
Human Resources | Andrea Sherrill | andrea.sherrill@wku.edu | ||
Information Techology Services |
Dylan Angle | dylan.angle@wku.edu | ||
Christian Carter | christian.carter@wku.edu | |||
Jordan Cole | jordan.cole@wku.edu | |||
Austin Dunkerson | austin.dunkerson@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
John Edmonds | john.edmonds@wku.edu | |||
Joseph Fredrick | joseph.fredrick@wku.edu | |||
Josh Jenkins | joshua.jenkins@wku.edu | |||
Gina Johnson | gina.johnson@wku.edu | |||
Casey Scruggs | casey.scruggs@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Kayla Stout-Harmon | kayla.stout-harmon@wku.edu | |||
Heather Stubblefield | heather.stubblefield@wku.edu | |||
Intercultural Student Engagement Center |
LaMario Moore | lamario.moore@wku.edu | ||
Cres'Sena Thomas | cressena.thomas@wku.edu | |||
Kelly Autism Program | Peyton Collins | peyton.collins@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Sarah McMaine-Render | sarah.mcmaine@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS) | John Dizgun | john.dizgun@wku.edu | ||
Kentucky Museum |
Tiffany Isselhardt | tiffany.isselhardt@wku.edu | ||
Chloe Paddack | chloe.paddack@wku.edu | |||
Christy Spurlock | christy.spurlock@wku.edu | |||
Office of the Dean of Students | Emmeline Essler | emmeline.essler@wku.edu | ||
Office of the Provost |
Bud Fischer | robert.fischer@wku.edu | ||
Rob Hale | rob.hale@wku.edu | |||
Molly Kerby | molly.kerby@wku.edu | |||
Amber Scott | amber.scott@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement |
Kasey Burden | kathryn.burden@wku.edu | ||
Jennifer Holland | jennifer.holland@wku.edu | |||
Rachel Ferguson | rachel.ferguson@wku.edu | |||
Margaret Glaser | margaret.glaser@wku.edu | |||
Deanna Jenkins | deanna.jenkins1@wku.edu | |||
Zach Marcum | zachary.marcum@wku.edu | |||
Anthony McAdoo | anthony.mcadoo@wku.edu | |||
Laura Smith | laura.smith@wku.edu | |||
Amanda Trabue | amanda.trabue@wku.edu | |||
Public Media |
Jordan Basham | jordan.basham@wku.edu | ||
Elizabeth Bates | elizabeth.bates@wku.edu | |||
Zachary Neace | zachary.neace@wku.edu | |||
Registrar Office | Adam Ashby | adam.ashby@wku.edu | ||
Jessica Dorris | jessica.dorris@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Jennifer Hammonds | jennifer.hammonds@wku.edu | |||
Research and Creative Activity | Joel Chapman | joel.chapman1@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Steva Kaufkins | steva.kaufkins@wku.edu | |||
Scholar Development |
Melinda Grimsley | melinda.grimsley@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Jackson Hite | jackson.hite@wku.edu | |||
Lindsey Houchin | lindsey.houchin@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Will Randolph | will.randolph@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Bradley W. Smith | bradley.smith@wku.edu | |||
Student Activities | Taryn Calloway | taryn.calloway@wku.edu | ||
Amelia Kolb | amelia.kolb@wku.edu | |||
Student Conduct |
Michael Crowe | michael.crowe@wku.edu | ||
Melanie Evans | melanie.evans@wku.edu | |||
Student Financial Assistance |
Katie Carpenter | katie.carpenter@wku.edu | ||
Kristie Hughes | kristie.hughes@wku.edu | |||
Julie Larrow | julie.larrow@wku.edu | |||
Student Publications | Sam Oldenburg | samual.oldenburg@wku.edu | ||
Student Support Services Disabilities | Merina Lewis | rina.lewis@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Jimmie Martin | jimmie.martin@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Transfer Center | Anna Beth Gillon | anna.gillon@wku.edu | ||
Julie Larrow | julie.larrow@wku.edu | |||
Jarrett Murphy | murphjh@wku.edu | |||
TRIO Programs |
Marliese Belt | marliese.belt@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
David Carner | david.carner@wku.edu | |||
Allison Jachowske | allison.jachowske912@topper.wku.edu | |||
Destiny O'Rourke | destiny.orourke@wku.edu | |||
University Marketing |
Mary Bidwell | mary.bidwell@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Clinton Lewis | clinton.lewis@wku.edu | |||
WKU Restaurant Group |
Leah Shapiro | shapiro-leah@aramark.com |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Counseling and Student Affairs |
Andrea Jenkins | andrea.jenkins@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Cre Dye | lacretia.dye@wku.edu | |||
Todd Noffsinger | todd.noffsinger@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Dean's Office |
Jessica Basham | jessica.basham@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Corinne Murphy | corinne.murphy@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Gifted Studies | Jennifer Wilson | jennifer.wilson@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Leadership and Professional Studies |
Nick Brake | nicholas.brake@wku.edu | ||
Anne Heintzman | anne.heintzman@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Wren Mills | wren.mills@wku.edu | |||
Will Perry | will.perry@wku.edu | |||
Julie Rivas | julia.rivas@wku.edu | |||
April Schleig | april.schleig@wku.edu | |||
Military Student Services | Kent Johnson | kent.johnson@wku.edu | ||
Psychology |
Sarah Bonis | sarah.bonis@wku.edu | ||
Lisa Duffin | lisa.duffin@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Frederick Grieve | rick.grieve@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Erin Jant | erin.jant@wku.edu | |||
Teacher Education |
Heidi Fortenberry | heidi.fortenberry@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Jeanine Huss | jeanine.huss@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Jeremy Logsdon | jeremy.logsdon@wku.edu | |||
Erin Margarella | erin.margarella@wku.edu | |||
Juila Mettelberg | julia.mittelberg@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Angela Nagel | angela.nagel@wku.edu | |||
Christina Noel | christina.noel@wku.edu | |||
Toni Szymanski | antonia.szymanski@wku.edu | |||
Janet Tassell | janet.tassell@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Mindy Waldrop | mindy.waldrop@wku.edu | |||
Training/Technical Assistance Services | Sherri Meyer | sherri.meyer@wku.edu |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
American Sign Language Studies |
Holly Bryant | holly.bryant@wku.edu | ||
Ashley Fox | ashley.fox@wku.edu | |||
Applied Human Sciences |
Seth Howard | seth.howard@wku.edu | ||
Julie Lee | julie.lee@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Adam West | adam.west@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Communication Sciences and Disorders |
Angie Alexieff | angie.alexieff@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Jenny Burton | jenny.burton@wku.edu | |||
Kimberly Green | kimberly.green@wku.edu | |||
Dean's Office |
Tania Basta | tania.basta@wku.edu | ||
Amy Wininger | amy.wininger@wku.edu | |||
Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport |
Jean Chen | yuchun.chen@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Jason Crandall | jason.crandall@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Rachel Green | rachel.green@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Eric Knackmuhs | eric.knackmuhs@wku.edu | |||
Silvio Polly da Costa Valladao | silvio.pollydacostavalladao@wku.edu | |||
Ron Ramsing | ron.ramsing@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Whitley Stone | whitley.stone@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Paula Upright | paula.upright@wku.edu | |||
Lifeskills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research |
Crystal Palmisano-Dillard | crystal.palmisano-dillard@wku.edu | ||
Heather Webb | heather.webb@wku.edu | |||
Nursing |
Tonya Bragg-Underwood | tonya.bragg-underwood@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Teresa Flanigan | teresa.flanigan@wku.edu | |||
Lori Fox | lori.fox@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Miranda Peterson | miranda.peterson@wku.edu | |||
Physical Therapy |
David Bell | david.bell@wku.edu | ||
Vance Pounders | robert.pounders@wku.edu | |||
Public Health |
Kristen Brewer | kristen.brewer@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Nadia Houchens | nadia.houchens@wku.edu | |||
Sarah Patrick | sarah.patrick@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Michelle Reece | michelle.reece@wku.edu | |||
Angel Shoemake | angel.shoemake@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Social Work |
Georgena Brackett | georgena.brackett@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Whitney Cassity-Caywood | whitney.cassitycaywood@wku.edu | |||
Patricia Desrosiers | patricia.desrosiers@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Valerie Farsetti | valerie.farsetti@wku.edu | |||
Jay Gabbard | jay.gabbard@wku.edu | |||
Lynn Hazlett | lynn.hazlett@wku.edu | |||
Gayle Mallinger | gayle.mallinger@wku.edu | |||
Erin Warfel | erin.warfel@wku.edu | |||
Nina Wells | nina.wells@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Sarah Whitledge | sarah.whitledge@wku.edu | |||
South Central Kentucky AHEC |
Cameron Carr-Calvert | cameron.carr-calvert@wku.edu | ||
Catherine Malin | catherine.malin@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Speech-Language Pathology | April Hardison | april.hardison@wku.edu |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Analytics & Information Systems | Thad Crews | thad.crewsii@wku.edu | ||
Jean Johnson | jean.johnson@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Jim Lindsey | ||||
Finance | Andrew Head | andrew.head@wku.edu | ||
Dean's Office |
Cara Cordell | ✓ | ||
Amy Jewell | ✓ | |||
Alex Lebedinsky | ||||
Abbygail Schroader | ✓ | |||
Ashley Smith | ashley.smith@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Evelyn Thrasher | evelyn.thrasher@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Management |
LeAnne Coder | leanne.coder@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Aquesha Daniels | aquesha.daniels@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Andria Henry | andria.henry@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Whitney Peake | whitney.peake@wku.edu | |||
Jacob Sherfey | jacob.sherfey@wku.edu | |||
Shane Spiller | shane.spiller@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Mariah Yates | mariah.yates@wku.edu | |||
Marketing |
Lukas Forbes | lukas.forbes@wku.edu | ||
Ruomeng Wu | ruomeng.wu@wku.edu |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Biology |
Jenny Clauson | jenny.clauson@wku.edu | ||
Deborah Cook | deborah.cook@wku.edu | |||
Hilary Katz | hilary.katz@wku.edu | |||
Natalie Mountjoy | natalie.mountjoy@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Chemistry |
Larry Hill | lawrence.hill@wku.edu | ||
Amanda Houchens | amanda.houchens@wku.edu | |||
Susan Morgan | susan.morgan@wku.edu | |||
Matthew Nee | matthew.nee@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Alicia Pesterfield | alicia.mcdaniel@wku.edu | |||
Dean's Office |
Jennifer Anderson | jennifer.anderson@wku.edu | ||
David N. Brown | david.brown@wku.edu | |||
Wendy DeCroix | wendy.decroix@wku.edu | |||
Sheryl Hagan | sheryl.hagan@wku.edu | |||
Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences |
Jill Brown | jill.brown@wku.edu | ||
Margaret Crowder | margaret.crowder@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Michael Galloway | jeffrey.galloway@wku.edu | |||
Morgan Miller | morgan.miller@wku.edu | |||
Lea Mitchell | lea.mitchell@wku.edu | |||
Amy Nemon | amy.nemon@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Leslie North | leslie.north@wku.edu | |||
Jason Polk | jason.polk@wku.edu | |||
Engineering and Applied Sciences |
Jeffrey Michael Galloway | jeffrey.galloway@wku.edu | ||
Margaret M. Gripshover | margaret.gripshover@wku.edu | |||
Kentucky Climate Center - Kentucky Mesonet |
Aaron Meador | aaron.meador@wku.edu | ||
Mathematics |
Melanie Autin | melanie.autin@wku.edu | ✓ | |
Robin Ayers | robin.ayers@wku.edu | |||
Zachary Bettersworth | zachary.bettersworth@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Patrick Brown | patrick.brown@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Dan Clark | daniel.clark@wku.edu | |||
Nyra Cullom | nyra.cullom@wku.edu | |||
Kanita DuCloux | kanita.ducloux@wku.edu | |||
Molly Dunkum | molly.dunkum@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Nick Fortune | nicholas.fortune@wku.edu | |||
Michelle Jones | michelle.jones@wku.edu | |||
Hope Marchionda | hope.marchionda@wku.edu | |||
Physics and Astronomy |
Maxx Haehn | maxx.haehn@wku.edu | ||
Ting-Hui Lee | ting-hui.lee@wku.edu | |||
Psychological Sciences |
Amy Brausch | amy.brausch@wku.edu | ||
Katrina Burch | katrina.burch@wku.edu | |||
Ashley Gilliam | ashley.gilliam@wku.edu | |||
Lance Hahn | lance.Hahn@wku.edu | |||
Taylor Kalgren | taylor.kalgren@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
SKyTeach | Melissa Rudloff | melissa.rudloff@wku.edu |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mahurin Honors College |
Spencer Anderson | spencer.anderson@wku.edu | ||
Megan Camille Bailey | megan.bailey@wku.edu | |||
Crystal Bohlander | crystal.bohlander@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Chris DiMeo | chris.dimeo@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Elizabeth Gannon | elizabeth.gannon@wku.edu | |||
Morgan Flanagan | morgan.flanagan@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Nina Marijanovic | nina.marijanovic@wku.edu | |||
Naomi Rowland | naomi.rowland@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
E Myo Zin | emyo.zin@wku.edu | ✓ |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Graduate School | Sam Shemwell | samantha.shemwell@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global Learning and International Affairs |
Katie Bush | katie.bush@wku.edu | ||
Amy Cardwell | amy.cardwell@wku.edu | |||
Rachel Cato | rachel.cato@wku.edu | |||
John Dizgun | john.dizgun@wku.edu | |||
Lauren Reyes | lauren.reyes@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
WesleyAnne (Wes) Watkins
|
wesleyanne.watkins@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Online Student Services | Tammy Dorris | tammy.dorris@wku.edu |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
University Libraries |
Andrew Adler | andrew.adler@wku.edu | ||
Susann deVries | susann.devries@wku.edu | |||
Dan Forrest | dan.forrest@wku.edu | |||
Kathy Foushee | kathryn.foshee@wku.edu | |||
Amanda Hardin | amanda.hardin@wku.edu | |||
Danial Newman | daniel.newman@wku.edu | |||
Tish Roberson | tish.roberson@wku.edu | ✓ | ||
Allison Salmon | allison.salmon@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Todd Seguin | todd.seguin@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ | |
Jessica Simpson | jessica.simpson@wku.edu | ✓ | ✓ |
Department |
Name |
|
Safe Zone I |
Safe Zone II |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fort Knox | Erica Crawford | erica.crawford@wku.edu | ||
Regional Campuses | Derick Strode | derick.strode@wku.edu |
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