NIQ Profiles - Kristen ScheurichAreas of Study:
BS, English, 2007
Teacher Certification
Minor: Spanish
Certificates: Women’s Studies & LGBT Studies
Campus Involvement:
Women’s Alliance
Prism, Education Chair
Future Plans:
I will teach high school and eventually pursue a master’s and teach at the college level. I want to advise Gay-Straight Alliances and continue to integrate Women’s Studies and LGBT Studies into my teaching. The day I have the privilege of teaching an LGBT Literature course in high school, without question, will be the best day of my life. I want to continue volunteering with youth organizations and never lose touch with that youth experience outside of school because of how much it affects them inside of school.
My favorite LGBTQ thing at NIU is … My favorite LGBTQ things at NIU include (in very particular order): the Resource Center couch, getting to know the resource center staff, Gay Jam, events where new people come, Ice Cream Social, Creatively Queer Tie-dying, and move nights!
My involvement on campus has helped me by … Until I became involved on campus I had a lot of complaints and no action. Not only do I want to make a difference, but I believe I can. I have no doubt that I will.
If I had three words to describe the campus environment for LGBTQ students I would say … Welcoming, diverse, malleable (if you want change, you can bring it)
NIU is a good school for LGBTQ students because … NIU supports ALL of its students. There are LGBTQ-specific courses to take, groups to join, people to meet. Above all else, NIU prides itself on diversity, and will not tolerate outward displays of prejudice or discrimination. NIU is an ally to the LGBTQ community, and that’s a really big ally to have.
The LGBT Resource Center offers … Everything under the sun! Books, magazines, movies, good company, conversation, support, comfortable couch, safe space. It is the center of LGBT resources, in short.
The LGBT Resource Center has helped me by … It has been a place to meet people, get information, vent frustrations sleep! It is my ally. It was my crutch until my watery, activist legs could stand alone.
I use the resource center to … Connect with colleagues and friends, sometimes sleep, relax, eat lunch, use the computers, and to access more LGBT literature than I can find anywhere else on campus.
My experience as an LGBTQ student at NIU has been … Entirely positive. Although I wish I had been involved my freshman year, because my floormates were friendly but unintentionally homophobic.
My advice to other LGBTQ students would be … Give the events more than one chance. They are just as scared of you as you are of them. Don’t lose contact with the community, but put school first. It is very easy to feel alone when you don’t go out and meet people. The resource center is your best friend. NIU has a thriving LGBTQ culture—if you take the time to seed yourself within it. Being involved with the LGBTQ community here has awakened my thirst for activism and equality. Moreover, I have awakened myself to the justice I deserve, to the rights I am due, to the self-confidence I own, to the well-being I’ve earned, and to the life I should lead. For every interest, hobby, or talent there is a subgroup of similarly minded people to befriend. The best tip I can offer is to come to more than one event because there is too much flavor in the LGBTQ community to absorb in one sitting, no matter how fine the pallet.