NIQ Profiles - Lucy AndichAreas of Study:
B.A., Sociology, 2006
Environmental Studies Minor
LGBT Studies Certificate
Campus Involvement:
Prism
Committee for the Preservation of Wildlife
Vegetarian Education Network
Activities/Career Path since graduation:
Internship in Utica, NY, Student Conservation Association (SCA) and Americore
Teacher's assistant, DeKalb School District
Residential Counselor in a facility that serves formerly homeless individuals with
mental disabilities and chemical dependency issues
Volunteer, Seattle, WA LGBT Community Center
My favorite LGBTQ thing at NIU is … On my first day at NIU in my “Welcome Days” packet I learned about the LGBT Rainbow Ice Cream Social. When I got there, people immediately made me feel like I was a part of the community. I am still friends with the people I met that day. Also, definitely the resource center, because it is a safe place on campus where I could relax between classes, socialize with other LGBTQ students, or even take a nap on the comfy couch after a long night of studying. I enjoyed Prism activities as well because they gave me the opportunity to meet other students and have something entertaining to do when I wasn't stressing over school work. My favorite events were movie nights/discussions, dances, and performers that Prism would bring in. Before I began attending NIU I wasn't aware of the active, enthusiastic LGBT community on campus. Before too long I was befriended by several Prism members and instantly felt welcomed into the community.
My involvement on campus has helped me by … Through my involvement on campus I was able to meet many new people. When I started going to NIU I knew absolutely no one and after a year I had met so many great people at different LGBTQ activities on campus. I also developed leadership skills as a result of serving as an executive board member of Prism. I really enjoyed welcoming others at campus events and being there for LGBTQ students to rely on if they ever needed someone to talk to.
If I had three words to describe the campus environment for LGBTQ students I would say … resources, welcoming, safe.
NIU is a good school for LGBTQ students because … The LGBT Resource Center and Prism have an array of educational programming. This programming helps NIU students learn about LGBTQ issues and become more accepting in general. I continually found myself in situations where I had to come out to people and I never received a negative reaction from doing so.
The LGBT Resource Center offers … resources for both LGBT and non-LGBT students. It is a very welcoming place where students can come between classes to socialize, have lunch, do their homework, take a nap or just hang out.
The LGBT Resource Center has helped me by … being a safe and accepting place where I could be myself and not feel judged. I can’t stress the importance of the LGBT Resource Center enough!
I use the resource center to … socialize with other students, find others who can relate to me and offer me moral support, and to educate myself on LGBTQ issues by means of the library.
My experience as an LGBTQ student at NIU has been … very positive. The material presented in my classes was often inclusive of everyone including members of the LGBTQ community. I would feel comfortable coming out to just about any faculty member that I met while attending NIU.
My advice to current LGBTQ students would be … get involved. I progressed immensely during my time at NIU and I know my involvement in the LGBT community played a huge role in my growth.