Two student support services that promote diversity have new faces in their offices this year.

The LGBTAA, or Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Ally Alliance, has a new co-adviser and LGBTSS, or Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Services, has a new coordinator.

Ginger Olson and Todd Herriott now advise the Alliance together. Olson has advised the group for several years, and said she has decided to step down at the end of this academic year. Herriott, program coordinator in the Dean of Students office, is new to the position this semester.

Herriott said he was involved in the group as an ISU student and is excited for his comeback.

“In some way I wanted to become more involved again,” he said. “I really like the executive group they have this year. I think they have a lot of ideas and plans to integrate the group more into the campus community.”

Olson said she looks forward to working with Herriott.

“Todd’s current role as co-adviser to the Alliance is a great fit for us,” said Olson, who is also a hall director for the Department of Residence. “I am hopeful that this relationship between Todd and the Alliance continues into the next academic year.”

The Alliance works with the LGBTSS office to coordinate events, Olson said.

“The Small Victories Celebration and Lavender Graduation are activities out of the LGBTSS office, where, of course, there is help from the Alliance membership,” she said. “National Coming Out Week events are arranged by the Alliance, but the LGBTSS office often collaborates on one or more events during that week.”

The new LGBTSS coordinator is Johnny Rogers, who has been involved with the service since 1997, when he began serving on the Advisory Board. Rogers, graduate student in English, said there are two reasons he sought his current position.

“The LGBTSS office staff and programs, as well as many of the advisory board members, have been instrumental in my academic and personal success,” Rogers said. “They provided much of the support I needed . while going through the coming-out process and one of the most critical transition periods of my life.”

Rogers said the support he received better enabled him to support other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

“As I learn how to serve all students more effectively as a student affairs professional, the LGBTSS Coordinator position gives me the opportunity to continue supporting LGBT students in particular, and to make a further contribution to the office and community which have done so much for me,” he said.

Rogers said his responsibilities as the coordinator of the LGBTSS office include providing referrals on personal, legal and health concerns; coordinating supportive and informational programming; and administering the Safe Zone Project.

“Of course, all year long I’ll be working in the office, available to answer questions, talk, provide referrals and coordinate other programs,” he said.