Grand Valley partners with MOASH to host youth summit

March 22, 2022 (Volume 45, Number 14)
Article by Michele Coffill

five people seated at a table, one person serving as moderator of this panel, whiteboard behind them

Three Grand Valley students were among panelists for a session, 'Queer in College: A Panel of LGBTQIA+ College Students,' at the March 11 Youth Summit. At center is Joi Mays, Alonda Smith and Casey Classen are at the right end of the table.

Photo Credit: Amanda Pitts

Nearly 450 students attended the eighth annual LGBTQIA+ Youth Summit at Grand Valley on March 11.

The Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH) partnered with several campus departments to host the event, which included a virtual track for attendees.

Callie Youngman, special projects coordinator for the LGBT Resource Center, served on the planning committee and said the majority of participants belonged to their high school's gay-straight alliance group. Youngman is also the athletics inclusion coordinator and assistant volleyball coach.

Workshops throughout the day were led by experts in the field and college students, including Grand Valley students who are actively involved in the LGBT Resource Center, and Center for Women and Gender Equity.

Support for the summit came from the LGBT Resource Center, Admissions, Division of Enrollment and Educational Outreach and Division of Inclusion and Equity, among other campus departments.