Jan Huebenthal named LGBT Center assistant director
Photo courtesy of: OHIO Diversity and InclusionJan Huebenthal
OHIO’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion announced that Jan Huebenthal will join Ohio University as its first assistant director of the LGBT Center. He will officially begin his duties March 18, 2019.
As part of this new position, Huebenthal will help to further the LGBT Center’s mission by providing support to its administrative, communications and outreach efforts. He will also assist with the continuing development, implementation and assessment of OHIO’s LGBT programs and efforts, both on and off campus.
Huebenthal shared that he can’t wait to begin working alongside, and learning from, the campus community.
“I'm thrilled to be joining the Ohio University’s LGBT Center as its first assistant director,” said Huebenthal. “During my time on campus, I met with several students whose wit, spirit and fierce commitment inspired me, and I know that combined with my passion for creating learning spaces that affirm each person's lived experiences, we will, together, build a solid foundation for the LGBT Center as it evolves.”
Huebenthal is a native of Hamburg, Germany; he is currently completing his Ph.D. in American Studies at the College of William & Mary, where he has also served as a teaching fellow in the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies program. During his time at William & Mary, Jan has also served as the Graduate Fellow of the W&M LGBTIQ Research Project: Documenting the LGBTIQ Past in Virginia and as the assistant director of the W&M Global Film Festival.
Since 2015, Jan has volunteered as an HIV/Health outreach specialist with the Richmond-based non-profit Health Brigade and remained true to his belief in the powers of community engagement.
Huebenthal joins OHIO after an extensive national search. A search committee, chaired by Cynthia Anderson (professor of sociology and director of OHIO’s Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), and comprised of Anthony Ciliberto (an OHIO student), Lindsay Radomski (an administrative specialist for the Department of Social and Public Health within the College of Health Sciences and Professions), Michelle Pride (a psychologist for Counseling and Psychological Services), and Carolyn Hunter (Outreach Coordinator for OHIO’s LGBT Center) reviewed a number of highly qualified applicants before selecting Huebenthal as its successful candidate.
“I’m thrilled that Jan has joined Ohio University to help build a strong support system for our LGBT Center,” said Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Gigi Secuban. “Jan’s international experiences, and his belief in the power of community engagement, will help further OHIO’s commitment to fostering supportive and collaborative environments that enable individuals to become their best selves.”
Jan and his husband, Cody Sigmon, who will join the University’s Office of Information Technology as Proactive Support Coordinator on July 1, 2019, anticipate their move to Athens and are excited to call themselves Bobcats.