NDSCS: A Place for Everyone
All students, faculty and staff deserve to learn in an environment that’s supportive and friendly, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Safe Zone is a program designed to:
- Educate people about sexual orientation and gender identity/expression issues.
- Create a visible network of Allies to provide support to the NDSCS lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community.
- Provide accurate information about sexual orientation and gender identity/expression issues and resources within the community.
The Safe Zone program is growing at NDSCS – check often to see our updated list of allies. Also, the Student Advocate is available in Old Main and coordinates the Safe Zone program.
Safe Zone Allies are not personal counselors, but they offer a safe place for LGBTQ individuals to be themselves. An ally listens. An ally respects confidentiality. An ally offers support, personally and through outside resources and referrals. An ally understands!
Clair T. Blikre Activities Center
Jane Passa
Athletics Office
Blikre Activities Center 190
Jane.Passa@ndscs.edu
Park Masterson
Athletics Office
Blikre Activities Center 190
Park.Masterson@ndscs.edu
Haverty Hall
Shelley Blome
Enrollment Services & Financial Aid
Haverty Hall 101
Shelley.Blome@ndscs.edu
Susan Bronson
Enrollment Services & Financial Aid
Haverty Hall 101
Susan.Bronson@ndscs.edu
Nikki Davis
Enrollment Services & Financial Aid
Haverty Hall 101
Nicole.I.Davis@ndscs.edu
Sheila Dolan
Enrollment Services & Financial Aid
Haverty Hall 101
Sheila.Dolan@ndscs.edu
Hannah Franks
Enrollment Services & Admissions
Haverty Hall 101
Hannah.Franks@ndscs.edu
Sandi Gilberston
Human Resources
Haverty Hall 120
Sandi.Gilbertson@ndscs.edu
Kijia Homes
President's Office
Haverty Hall 151
Kijia.Homes@ndscs.edu
Crystal Lovik
Enrollment Services & Financial Aid
Haverty Hall 101
Crystal.Lovik@ndscs.edu
Sybil Priebe
English, Communication, & Performing Arts
Haverty Hall 215
Sybil.Priebe@ndscs.edu
Hektner Student Center
Sandra Benedict
Dining Services
Hektner Student Center
Sandra.Benedict@ndscs.edu
Jodi Long
Dining Services
Hektner Student Center
Jodi.Long@ndscs.edu
OId Main
Mindi Bessler
Student Accessibility
Old Main 230A
Mindi.Bessler@ndscs.edu
Erin Johnson
Student Success Center
Old Main 130E
Erin.J.Johnson@ndscs.edu
Carin Nielson
Student Success Center
Old Main 110A
Carin.Nielson@ndscs.edu
Heather Retzer
Institutional Effectiveness
Old Main 340C
Heather.Retzer@ndscs.edu
Char Schuler
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Old Main 442
Charlotte.Schuler@ndscs.edu
Mindy Manock Tayer
Student Success Center
Old Main 110B
mindy.manocktayer@ndscs.edu
Lisa Wixo
Career Services
Old Main 340B & Fargo 147C
Lisa.Wixo@ndscs.edu
Kelly Wolf
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Old Main 436
Kelly.Wolf@ndscs.edu
Riley Hall
Alissa Herbranson
Residential Life
Riley Hall 130
Alissa.Herbranson@ndscs.edu
Liza Hinrichs
Residential Life
Riley Hall 130
Liza.Hinrichs@ndscs.edu
Melissa Johnson
Student and Residential Life
Riley Hall 130
Melissa.J.Johnson.3@ndscs.edu
Bethany Mauch
Student Wellness and Advocacy
Riley Hall 107
Bethany.Mauch@ndscs.edu
Rhys Rasanen-Fryar
Student Wellness and Advocacy
Riley Hall 130
Ryhs.Rasanen@ndscs.edu
Level 1: Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students
The goal of this introductory training session is to provide basic information about sexual orientation, especially as it relates to NDSCS students, faculty, and staff. Topics addressed include an overview of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus (LGBTQ+) community, relevant topics, and terminology. Participants in this training session will be given explicit steps on what they can do to help advocate and support members of the LGBTQ+ community, both in generalized methods and through accessing resources specific to NDSCS.
Upcoming Level 1 Training Dates:
- April 12, 2023: 12 - 1 p.m. — via Teams (Employees and Faculty)
- April 13, 2023: 12 - 1 p.m. — Hektner Student Center Red River Valley Room (Employees and Faculty)
Level 2: Understanding Gender Identity
This training session is designed as a continuation of Level 1; it builds on the previous information but focuses on identity as it relates to gender. Gender identity can encompass many different internal and external elements: sex assigned at birth, gender expression, and gender attribution. Participants in this training session will engage in discussions around the use of gendered language, making conscious efforts to use inclusive language, relevant terminology, and the explicit steps they can do to help advocate for students, staff, and faculty at NDSCS.
Upcoming Level 2 Training (Dates TBA)
Wahpeton: All trainings held in the Hektner Student Center
If requested, attendance can be tracked for extra credit purposes.
Anyone displaying the Safe Zone symbol has committed to being an understanding, supportive and trustworthy Ally for LGBTQ members of our College community. This person can also be counted upon to provide accurate information about sexual orientation and gender identity issues.