Our Mission
The Pride Center at Eastern Washington University is a student-funded unit that strives to advance equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities on campus and in the local community.
The Pride Center supports, empowers, and advocates on behalf of students, connects EWU community members to on-campus and local resources, creates and facilitates inspiring programs and events, and delivers educational trainings and workshops. Guided by a deep understanding of the need for intersectional social justice frameworks, the Pride Center is committed to strong alliances and partnerships with diverse cultural, ethnic, political, spiritual, and arts communities at EWU and beyond.
What we do!
As a student-funded campus unit, the Pride Center supports LGBTQ+ students and the greater EWU community through advocacy and empowerment, providing community space, delivering programs and events, and facilitating trainings and workshops. We seek to reflect our community, mission, and values in all we do.
Advocacy – We help LGBTQ+ communities and their allies navigate systemic injustices that inhibit a welcoming and inclusive campus environment. We create space for dialogue and activism, empower critical, mindful, and strategic thinking, and utilize resources to advance initiatives and policies that support LGBTQ+ communities as well as the university’s commitment to inclusiveness.
Community Space – On a daily basis, we function as a welcoming and affirming space for all students, regardless of how you identify. Students often use the space to:
- relax between classes (naps are welcome!),
- use the two computer stations to work on assignments and surf the web,
- seek support and information,
- access snacks and meals via our micro food pantry, and
- talk about pressing issues.
We also host the weekly meetings of Eagle Pride, EWU’s LGBTQ+ student organization. For the Spring 2023 quarter, they are meeting on Tuesday at 4pm. Check them out on Instagram!
Programs and Events – Our programs and events are inspired by our students, the needs of the EWU community, and current national and international events. They are designed to build and sustain community, cultivate personal learning and growth, and engage those aspects of identity that inform the whole person—personal, political, social, professional, spiritual, and others. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Drag Show
- Lavender Graduation
- National Coming Out Day
- Pride Month
- Transgender Day of Remembrance
- Transgender Day of Visibility
Trainings and Workshops – We acknowledge that creating a socially just, welcoming, and affirming campus environment requires proactive and ongoing learning. With partners from various areas of campus, our trainings and workshops strive to deepen one’s abilities to engage with, honor, and include others because of—not despite—their differences. We are in the process of expanding the number and types of trainings and workshops we offer. Current examples include, but are not limited to:
- Advocate Training
- Addressing Bias
- Difficult Dialogues: Asking Tough Questions
- Gender Identity 101
- LGBTQ+: A History and Introduction
- LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Classroom
Eastern’s LGBTQ+ History
In Spring 2009, Eastern created an LGBTQ+ task force made up of faculty, staff, and students. Their mission was to improve the campus climate for LGBTQ+ faculty, staff and students. The task force was chaired by Dr. Terrie Ashby-Scott, the Director of the Office of Transitions and Inclusion. The task force met in Summer 2009 to determine the most critical areas for action at EWU.
Following the retreat, the Pride Center opened in Fall 2009 and was staffed by faculty, staff and student volunteers. The Pride Center Coordinator was hired in 2010 and the official grand opening of the Center [pictured above] took place Winter 2010. The Center has grown every year since it opened, and is currently staffed by two full-time staff and a student employee.
Eastern has a long history of LGBTQ+ community, activism, and support. Check out our living timeline of significant LGBTQ+ moments at EWU, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have something to add to our timeline!
Meet the staff!
Maggie Harty
Student Equity and Belonging Coordinator
509.359.7870
mharty@ewu.edu
First Term at EWU:
Fall 2017
One of my favorite LGBTQ+ films or books:
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Degrees:
B.A., Art History, Eastern Washington University
B.F.A., Studio Art, Eastern Washington University
Hobbies:
Ceramics and printmaking. I also love to bake, my specialty is honey-lavender cheesecake.
Zoe Swenson
Student Office Aide
First Term at EWU:
Fall 2021
One of my favorite LGBTQ+ films or books:
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Feel Good on Netflix
Major:
Criminal Justice
Hobbies:
Baking and Drawing
Kayla Mitchell
Student Office Aide
First Term at EWU:
Fall 2023
One of my favorite LGBTQ+ films or books:
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki
Orange is the New Black on Netflix
Major:
Forensic Science and Psychology
Hobbies:
Diamond Art Painting and Anime