» LGBTQIA+ Students

This page is for students who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. You will find information, support, and resources tailored specifically to meet your needs.

From campus organizations and resources to counseling services, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and affirming environment where every student can thrive.

Welcome from Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge, Director of LGBTQ Pride and Achievement

Welcome! Chapman is dedicated to the thriving of all students and the cultivation of the rich diversity that makes our Panther family strong. As Director of LGBTQ Pride and Achievement, I am here to support Chapman’s inclusive mission by fostering a campus environment that embraces individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

We hope that the information that you find on this page will help you to discover ways to be involved in the Chapman community and provide answers to questions you may have.

By immersing yourself in life here at Chapman, you may not only discover your own community, but also contribute to the overall growth of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are proud to have such a vibrant Panther family and to have you as a part of it.

Should you ever need any guidance and support, feel free to reach out to me at kstock@chapman.edu.

Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge is Chapman’s Director of Pride and Achievement. You can learn more about him and his role in this news story.

LGBTQIA+ clubs and activities

Chapman encourages students to embrace their diversity and explore their interests by engaging in various student organizations and extracurricular activities, including:

Queer Student Alliance is a place of trans and queer resistance and solidarity. We provide a safe and welcoming space for anyone who identifies with the LGBTQQIAP+ community.
Queer and Trans People of Color Collective (QTPOCC) serves to create a radical space of support for students who are queer and/or transgender and are non-white, of mixed heritage, and/or are part of a racialized or marginalized group based on minority status.
Q-Spirit supports LGBTQIA+ students around the intersection of their queer identities and experiences with religion and spirituality.
- For more details, contact Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge at kstock@chapman.edu.
oSTEM empowers LGBTQIA+ students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Athlete Ally supports LGBTQIA+ and Allied students who are both athletes and non-athletes in advancing community and inclusion in sports and beyond.
- For more details, contact Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge at kstock@chapman.edu.
OUTLaw is a collaboration of law students, faculty, and staff interested in working with both the Chapman and local communities to foster a supportive, positive, and safe environment for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community.
- For more details, contact Gabriel McIntire at gmcintire@chapman.edu.
Shift/Happens cultivates a community for transgender and nonbinary individuals by providing a support group and space for students to speak about any and all topics.
- For more details, contact Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge at kstock@chapman.edu.
Reading the Bible through Queer Eyes: In a series of sessions, Rev. Nancy Brink, Director of Church Relations explores the Bible scriptures frequently cited in opposition to LGBTQ rights (often referred to as “clobber passages”).
- For more details, contact Nancy Brink at (714) 997-6760 or brink@chapman.edu.

Kiana Kalahele ‘24

Business Administration & English Journalism double-major; Psychology minor

“As a queer POC individual, being in QTPOCC has helped me find a place of belonging and community at Chapman. I’m able to have a safe space where I feel heard and understood, and the opportunity to discover more about myself and feel proud in expressing my identity here at Chapman.”

LGBTQIA+ life in Southern California

Southern California has established itself as one of the most welcoming places for LGBTQIA+ individuals. As a result, there are several organizations and events for this community, including:

LGBTQIA+ local events

Disney After Dark Pride Nite: Held during June (Pride Month), Disneyland holds a Pride Night to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Only a short 15-minute drive from Chapman’s campus, students can enjoy after-hours park access, themed entertainment, Disney characters, photo opportunities, specialty menu items, LGBTQIA+ merchandise and more.
OC Pride Parade & Festival: Held during June (Pride Month) in Santa Ana is a free, annual Pride celebration for all ages that features live performances from diverse artists and drag queens, a supportive youth space, and access to helpful resources.

LGBTQIA+ local resources

LGBTQ Center OC: Advocates on behalf of the Orange County LGBTQ communities and provides services that ensure their well-being and positive identity.
Groundswell: Provides programs in partnerships with schools, corporations, individuals, cities and foundations to eliminate prejudice, intolerance and discrimination
P.F.L.A.G. Orange County Chapter: The LGBT Center OC’s mission is to advocate on behalf of the Orange County Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer/Questioning communities and provide services that ensure its well-being and positive identity.

LGBTQIA+ academics

The LGBTQ Studies minor offers you the opportunity to analyze facts, theories, research and realities concerning diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, communities and histories.
The Women’s and Gender Studies minor allows you to study the interdisciplinary approaches of women and gender inequality; cultural representations of women and their social roles; and the social axes of gender, race, class and sexuality.

Students may declare a minor once the semester begins and before they reach 60 units. Please keep in mind that some minors may require an application process. For further instructions on how to declare a minor, visit the Change or Add Majors and Minors page.

Flo Singer '23

Broadcast Journalism & Documentary major; LGBTQ Studies Minor

“My ‘Film, Gender & Sexuality’ class discussions had always left me with such a greater awareness. As an Asian American non-binary person, what I appreciated most was how intersectional the curriculum was.”

LGBTQIA+ study abroad considerations

Our LGBTQIA+ Study Abroad brochure can guide through the process of identifying a study abroad program that aligns with your needs and supports your sense of belonging.

You can also visit the Center for Global Education page for more details on the programs that Chapman offers and how to get started.

Student resources

Chapman offers support to LGBTQIA+ students in any situation. Refer to the drop-down list below for available resources and find the ones that best suit your needs.

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Are your finances changing in connection with your identity?

The Office of Financial Aid might be able to help. We know that sometimes the information provided on the FAFSA does not always give an accurate picture of your circumstances. We also know that sometimes things change after you have completed the FAFSA. In these situations, refer to finaid@chapman.edu for further assistance.
Association for Queer Anthropology Kenneth W. Payne Student Prize is a scholarship for current students presented each year by the Association for Queer Anthropology in acknowledgment of outstanding anthropological work on a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender topic, or a critical interrogation of sexualities and genders.

If you haven't done so already, check out the outside scholarships section on the LGBTQIA+ Admission page for more financial aid options.

The Office of the Registrar is the direct channel for registering a name change in academic student records.
- Contact registrar@chapman.edu or call (714) 997-6701
Information Systems and Technology can help update an email address or ID card to reflect a name change.
- Contact servicedesk@chapman.edu or call (714) 996-6600

We are committed to providing student housing communities that are welcoming to everyone.

Incoming first-year and transfer students can opt-in to gender-diverse housing on the housing application.
Returning students can opt-in to gender-diverse housing on the housing application and email reslife@chapman.edu with the decision and choice of roommates.
Visit the Gender Diverse Housing page for more information.

To find Chapman University’s all-gender restrooms, click on “Restrooms” on the drop-down menu of this interactive campus map. All-gender restrooms are labeled and identified across campus.

Following the university's commitment to the inclusion of all of its community members, Chapman departments across campus have developed gender-inclusive policies to support students, faculty, staff, and guests on campus. Visit the Gender-Inclusive Policies page to read these policies in detail.

Advocates for LGBTQIA+ students

Below is a list of staff, faculty and administrators separated by department who are advocates for student diversity, equity and inclusion at Chapman. The people in these lists have committed to being an open door and advocate for students from underrepresented groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community.

Office of Admission

Steele Viverette (he/him/his), Undergraduate Admission Counselor, Office of Admission, steelev@chapman.edu

Financial Aid

Jonathan Charres (he/him/his), Assistant Director of Diversity & Outreach, Undergraduate Financial Aid, charres@chapman.edu

Athletics

Juliet Suess (they/them), Swimming and Diving Head Coach, suess@chapman.edu

Center for Global Education

Jodi Hicks (she/her/hers), Assistant Director of Overseas Programs, Center for Global Education, jebner@chapman.edu

Office of Church Relations

Nancy Brink (she/her/hers), Director, Office of Church Relations, brink@chapman.edu

Wilkinson College

C K Magliola (she/her/hers), Chair, Women's Studies Minor, magliola@chapman.edu
Claudine Jaenichen (she/her/hers) Chair, Department of Art, jaeniche@chapman.edu
Ian Barnard (they/them/their) Associate Professor, Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences, barnard@chapman.edu

College of Performing Arts

Jessica Sternfeld (she/her/hers), Associate Professor, College of Performing Arts, sternfel@chapman.edu

Attallah College

Whitney McIntyre Miller (she/her/hers), Associate Professor, College of Educational Studies, wmcintyr@chapman.edu

Dodge College

Sally Rubin (she/her/hers or they/them/theirs), Associate Professor, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, rubin@chapman.edu

Fowler School of Law

Marisa Cianciarulo (she/her/hers), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Doy & Dee Henley Chair in Low, Fowler School of Law, cianciar@chapman.edu

School of Pharmacy

Laura Gorospe (she/her/hers), Director of Finance and Administration, School of Pharmacy, gorospe@chapman.edu

» LGBTQIA+ Students

Welcome from Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge, Director of LGBTQ Pride and Achievement

LGBTQIA+ clubs and activities

LGBTQIA+ life in Southern California

LGBTQIA+ local events

LGBTQIA+ local resources

LGBTQIA+ academics

LGBTQIA+ study abroad considerations

Student resources

Explore financial aid options

Change your name

Request gender-diverse housing

Access gender-inclusive restrooms

Review gender-inclusive policies

Advocates for LGBTQIA+ students

Contact Director of LGBTQ Pride & Achievement