The LGBTQ Advancement Council
The LGBTQ Advancement Council plays a vital role in the work of the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center, the largest center of its kind in the 17-campus UNC system. The Advancement Council’s primary focus is fundraising for the LGBTQ Priority Fund which helps to ensure the Peel LGBTQ Center’s capacity to meet the needs of our students through programming, scholarships, service learning, and professional development at regional and national conferences. Additionally, the Advancement Council is involved in exploring the strategic direction of the Center, as well as assisting in creating an increased awareness of the critical importance of the work of the Center among alumni and community members across the region.
Advancement Council members include alumni, faculty, staff, and community members who are meeting the vision of East Carolina University in creating the environment for student success, in addition to playing a role in regional transformation through our programming and educational events. The Advancement Council was integral in the Grand Opening of the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center in ECU’s Main Campus Student Center in January 2019. Ongoing efforts include “Love Wins,” the annual fall fundraiser established in 2015 to support initiatives such as scholarships for students and expansion of our lending library, as well as the Pride Dinner and Celebration held in January each year.
The LGBTQ Advancement Council
Dr. Will Banks, Chair
Kylene Dibble
Joe Esparza
Emily Jarvis, Immediate Past Chair
Dr. Jesse Peel
Justin Pritchard
Rex Rose
Dr. Steven Schmidt
Garrett Taylor
Dr. Anne Ticknor
Justin Waters