Carnegie Mellon University

LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance

Events and Membership

To become a member of the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance, please submit a membership form so you can be informed of upcoming meetings and events. There is no cost associated with membership and no time commitments. Members can attend as many meetings and events as they would like. Individual membership in ERGs is strictly voluntary and open to all individuals who are interested in promoting diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Refer to the ERG benefits and guidelines for more information.

Resources

  • Tartan Allies Terminology [pdf] — Provides definitions for common LGBTQIA-related terms and acronyms.
  • CaPS LGBTQIA+ Resources — Provides education, advocacy and support resources for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Pittsburgh area, as well as nationally.
  • TINA@CMU — A support and action network of trans, intersex, nonbinary and questioning individuals that is dedicated to supporting our needs, inclusion and equitable access across Carnegie Mellon University.

Mission Statement

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance is an employee resource group set to unite faculty and staff of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as allies, and provide a structured framework and network for members to improve awareness and engagement, influence a non-bias culture, and encourage inclusive collaboration.

Leadership

Lina Crowe, Co-Lead

Angelina (Lina) R. Crowe is the metadata specialist for Hunt Library. They originally started working for Carnegie Mellon University as a student worker in 2007, and then returned in 2013 to work as a full time employee. They are also an active member of several DEI Initiatives at Hunt Library.

Lina has a BA in film theory and a master's of library and information sciences. They have been heavily involved in organizations to aid questioning and queer youth and fundraising for NY AIDS Walk and the ASPCA accompanying the youth groups. Lina also organized a fundraiser for RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) at a club in NYC and performed with one of the bands that headlined. While in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, they created the Famous Living Dead Brigade, a performance art troupe dedicated to encouraging artful expression among youth dealing with mental health and gender/sexuality issues.

Lina enjoys working with others to support and educate on many issues, but puts queer issues and mental health issues at the forefront of their goals. They hope to be able to continue this through the CMU LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group and to be able to help the CMU community become a safe, strong and supportive place for everyone.

Ashley Werlinich, Co-Lead

Ashley Werlinich is the faculty liaison to English and Drama at Carnegie Mellon University Libraries. She also serves as the co-liaison to the Entertainment Technology Center and constantly seeks new ways to partner with both the CMU community and the Pittsburgh community more broadly. Ashley also fosters library connections with students and faculty through her commitment to outreach; she hosts many outreach events on campus, including zine-making events, workshops on arts entrepreneurship, and is a co-lead on several outreach and DEIA related groups within the University Libraries. She is passionate about creating community spaces that help people feel welcomed, valued, heard and joyful, and will continue to pursue this commitment to inclusion and belonging in her work for the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance.

Cara Giannandrea, Member Liaison

Cara Giannandrea has been with Carnegie Mellon University since 2016, working in Transition Services at the Software Engineering Institute. In 2022, she joined the Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation. At CTTEC, in collaboration with the senior licensing manager, she works with faculty, staff and students on technology originating from the Robotics Institute. Cara is deeply committed to LGBTQIA+ issues. She previously worked on ideation for the creation of a peer support network for LGBTQIA+ individuals, and currently is working on building connections and resources related to LGBTQIA+ family planning. Cara is a native Pittsburgher. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her partner and dog, mountain biking, snowboarding and making music.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance at Highmark Stadium

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance participated in the "Out of the Darkness" community walk. The event, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, was held at Highmark Stadium on September 7, 2024. Visit the team page to make a donation.

Attendees posing in front of LGBTQIA+ ERG banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Pride luncheon on June 25, 2024.

Tray of heart-shaped cookies with rainbow icing

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Pride luncheon on June 25, 2024.

CMU-branded Pride flag

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Pride luncheon on June 25, 2024.

Attendees getting food from buffet

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Pride luncheon on June 25, 2024.

Presenters in front of screen during luncheon presentation

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Pride luncheon on June 25, 2024.

Attendees seated at tables during luncheon

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Pride luncheon on June 25, 2024.

CMU participants at Pride March and Parade posing with Scotty Pride banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance participated in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 1, 2024. Thank you to all of the alumni, students, faculty, staff and families who joined us!

CMU participants at Pride March and Parade posing with Scotty Pride banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance participated in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 1, 2024. Thank you to all of the alumni, students, faculty, staff and families who joined us!

LGBTQIA+ leads at a table at Carnival

The employee resource groups hosted a table at the 2024 Spring Carnival.

Empty banquet room with Lunchtime Social presentation slide projected on screen

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.

Presenters in front of banquet room with presentation projected behind them

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.

Presenters in front of banquet room with presentation projected behind them

In celebration of Black History Month and its national theme of "African Americans in the Arts," the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Sankofa Black Faculty and Staff Alliance held a joint lunchtime social on February 20, 2024. The groups were joined by staff from Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh arts organization for queer youth, who gave a brief presentation of their mission and work.