Carnegie Mellon University

LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance

Events and Membership

  • Join us for an all-ERG World Storytelling Day event on March 20 from 4:30–6 p.m. at the Hunt Library, Studio A. The theme for 2024 is "Building Bridges."

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.

Ryan McKelvey, Co-Lead

Ryan M. McKelvey joined the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) network as its academic coordinator in April 2022 but has maintained artistic and professional relationships with Carnegie Mellon University since 2015. He holds an MA in performance & visual practices from the University of Brighton and a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ryan is a fierce accomplice who believes true equity, representation and visibility are vital in all public arenas, especially in institutional spaces and professional contexts. He acknowledges the privileges he holds (cis male, white, American, employed) that enable him to publicly identify as gay and queer. Ryan’s awareness of the broader concerns across our city, commitment to collaboration and generative practice, and understanding of intersectionality at CMU will enable him to provide direction, guidance and new perspectives to the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance. He is thrilled to engage with the community and serve as a co-lead for the next two years.

Amanda Willard, Member Liaison

Amanda M. Willard is the director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Biological Sciences. She originally came to Carnegie Mellon University as a graduate student in 2012, and then returned in 2020 as teaching faculty and academic advisor for undergraduate students in Biology. She is also an active member of the department’s DEI committee.

Amanda has a B.S. in biology from Seton Hill University and earned her Ph.D. in biological sciences from CMU in 2018 for her work studying the neural mechanisms underlying motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease. As a graduate student, she was an active member of Allies Grad (now CMQ+) for four years, where she served as the professional development chair and created a weekly graduate student support group. She also volunteered at the oSTEM conference in 2015 when it was hosted here at Carnegie Mellon. During her term serving as vice president of Campus Affairs in the Graduate Student Assembly, she strongly advocated for the creation of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. She also served as a lead member of the MOSAIC Conference Committee in 2017. After graduation, she taught for two years at Clarion University where she served on the Presidential Commission for LGBTQ+ Concerns and volunteered for Lavender Graduation.

Amanda is passionate about mentoring the next generation of queer scientists and improving visibility and building community in these spaces. She prides herself on making her office a welcoming and inclusive environment for her students. She is thrilled to serve as the member liaison for the CMU LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group and continue contributing to events and initiatives that make CMU a more welcoming and inclusive space for all.

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.

LGBTQIA members engaged in panel discussion

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted "Out on Campus Panel: A National Coming Out Day Discussion" on October 18, 2023.

Pride luncheon attendees eating lunch and listening to speaker

With support from the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion's Diversity and Inclusion Network, the LGBTQIA+ employee resource group hosted a Pride Luncheon on June 20, 2023.

Dessert table featuring heart shaped cookies with rainbow icing

With support from the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion's Diversity and Inclusion Network, the LGBTQIA+ employee resource group hosted a Pride Luncheon on June 20, 2023.

Pride luncheon attendees eating lunch and listening to speaker

With support from the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion's Diversity and Inclusion Network, the LGBTQIA+ employee resource group hosted a Pride Luncheon on June 20, 2023.

CMU group posing behind Scotty Pride banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants at the Pride March and Parade

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants carrying Scotty Pride banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants marching behind Scotty Pride banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants crossing bridge during Pride March and Parade

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants marching across bridge carrying Scotty Pride banner

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants marching across bridge during Pride March and Parade

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

Closeup of rainbow wristband and rainbow fan

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.

CMU participants at Pride March and Parade

The LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Alliance joined a coalition of CMU's LGBTQIA+ faculty, students, staff, alumni and allies to participate in the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade on June 3, 2023.