News
OU Selects New LGBT Center Director
By: Chealsia Smedley | Ohio University for the Athens Messenger
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The Ohio University Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center has hired a new director for the 2013-2014 school year. Delfin Bautista, who has a master’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in divinity, will begin on June 1.
Bautista has focused on LGBTQ issues in both the clinical and religious realms.
“It’s been a passion for me to create safer spaces where people can be just who they are. Whether that is in terms of legislative advocacy or creating a place to share and ask questions,” said Bautista.
For Bautista, a university is the perfect way to blend his passion for social justice and LGBTQ issues, and foster safe environments.
“My goal professionally is to work at a university because of the diversity of experiences, being able to work with students and being able to work with faculty and staff,” said Bautista.
After seeing the job posting and researching the LGBT Center, Bautista wanted to work at Ohio University.
“This is a really cool, funky place, there’s a lot happening here,” said Bautista. “In researching and getting to know the programs … there really seemed to be intentionality to embrace diversity in all of its forms. That was really exciting and unique.”
As the new director of the LGBT Center, Bautista plans to continue the work that has been started, while striving for constant improvement.
“One of the big things that has been shared with me is trying to provide more academic resources, so not wanting to lose touch with students and making sure that we are here for students. But asking what does that look like beyond social gatherings and how does that transfer to the classroom,” said Bautista.