This week, Iowa State and the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success will say farewell to Clare Lemke, the assistant director for The Center.

Lemke, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native, received her bachelor’s degree in English and women’s studies at the University of Iowa before coming to Iowa State in June of 2015 to be the assistant director of the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success.

“Clare is extremely talented,” said Brad Freihoefer, director of the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success. “I think she has brought our team to a new level when it comes to not only executing programs with excellence from beginning to end but doing so by working on a deep level with students.”

Freihoefer praised Lemke’s adaptability to change, her social justice viewpoint and her focus on student advocacy.

Lemke said trans inclusion and gender equity became a big focus of The Center early on in her career at Iowa State. One of her first projects in her position was working with 13 different offices across Iowa State to create the Trans at ISU guide.

“When I look back at the last three and half years, I am pleasantly surprised at how much we were able to accomplish. I feel very good about the work we have done,” Lemke said.

Other projects Lemke worked on during her first year include scheduling Angelica Ross, CEO of TransTech, to speak during Pride Week. She also worked on community building for transgender and nonconforming students, asexual and aromantic identifying students, and queer and trans students of color.

“Supervising all the student workers, graduate practicum students and volunteers who have served the office over the past several years has been one of the most rewarding parts of this job,” Lemke said. “I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented and passionate group of students who have contributed to the success of our office over the years.”

Lemke said that working with students involved in the Thrive program and the Speakers Bureau program, two of the LGBTQIA+ leadership programs offered at Iowa State, were some of the most memorable and meaningful points in her career at Iowa State.

“Anytime I had the chance to get to know students, to work with them, to lead with them has been my favorite and most memorable moment,” Lemke said.

Freihoefer said that changing the Lavender Graduation and the LGBTQIA+ Community Welcome, planning events for the Out and About program and working on the Trans at ISU guide have been some of biggest impacts Lemke had on the LGBTQIA+ community at Iowa State.

Working closely together for three and a half years, Freihoefer and Lemke have created a strong bond.

“I am going to certainly miss having a friend, a colleague, right next door to my office,” Freihoefer said.

Freihoefer also said that Lemke has been a great support for her fellow staff members and others as well as a great example of leadership.

When asked about their favorite memory of working with Lemke, Freihoefer said that some of the best memories were when the two of them sat down together and mulled over ideas and then watched them become a reality. Some of these ideas included changes to Lavender Graduation and the new Center space.

“Iowa State is a better place because of Clare,” Freihoefer said.

A farewell reception for Lemke will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union. The official ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. with refreshments to follow. Lemke’s last day at Iowa State is Friday.