Kent State University Is LGBTQ-Friendly Campus

KENT, OH - Kent State University has been named one of the most LGBTQ-friendly campuses in the U.S.

The Northeast Ohio school received the highest possible score from the Campus Pride Index, a benchmarking tool gauging the LGBTQ-friendliness of American colleges and universities. Kent State received a 5.0 out of 5 from the index.

“I’m proud that Kent State has made progress in supporting our LGBTQ+ student and campus community,” said Ken Ditlevson, director of Kent State’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Student Center. “I feel like we’ve always been strong in this regard, as a leading community resource for LGBTQ+ individuals, but our score now truly represents the great work being done.”

The Campus Pride Index looks at eight factors when generating a university's score: policy inclusion, support and institutional commitment, academic life, student life, housing, campus safety, counseling and health and recruitment and retention efforts. Last year, Kent State received a 4.5 out of 5 from the index.

Over the past year, Kent State has updated some of its policies, producing a higher score on the index. The university touted its updates for trans-inclusive healthcare for faculty and staff, a written policy for universal restrooms and preferred name processes for faculty and staff.

“I am proud to know I attend a university with a 5.0 Campus Pride Index,” said Kent State student Kayla Cagwin, who interns at the LGBTQ Student Center. “As a queer graduate student, it makes me feel safe to be able to be my most authentic self on campus. As an intern who works toward creating an inclusive campus environment, it is the most rewarding experience to be a part of an ongoing effort to support LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff!”