Inclusive or Indifferent? Stakeholder Perceptions of the Campus Climate for LGBTQ+ Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Pathway to Success for Marginalized Students (Table 5)

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of campus climate for LGBTQ+ students among stakeholders at a mid-sized regional institution in Southwest Florida. The research gathered insights from students, faculty, staff, and administrators to assess attitudes toward LGBTQ+ inclusiveness, safety, and support utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. One hundred eleven respondents were undergraduate students, 28 graduate students, 70 faculty, 106 staff, and 17 administrators. The survey explored the degree of respect, inclusion, and visibility that LGBTQ+ individuals experienced within the campus community. Results indicate a positive perception of campus climate, with noted differences across gender, academic disciplines, and roles. This study contributes to the broader dialogue on enhancing higher education environments to support diversity and inclusion.

Authors

• Julie Brooke Gleason, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University