See below for individual staff listings and bios
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact The Director Now
Welcome to the LGBTA Student Resource Center website! My name is Allison Subasic, and I have the privilege of being the director of the office. One of my visions for the center is to make it a personal point of contact for LGBTA students at The Pennsylvania State University. A large university can be overwhelming and impersonal and I hope our center is one where students can make at least one personal and meaningful contact with a staff or faculty member who will help them to be successful during their time here.
I came to The Pennsylvania State University in November of 2001 to be the first full-time director of the Center. My previous position was at The University of California at Davis, where I was the first full-time coordinator of the office. Coming to Penn State University was an exciting opportunity for me. I was offered a program that was ready for growth and a university setting and administration that was willing to support our efforts. At the time, the Center had just moved from Educational Equity to Student Affairs. There are many individuals on campuses and some who have since left, who started the Center and blessed it with a foundation for me to build one of the premier programs in the country. Remembering our history and the struggles that have made Penn State what it is today, is an important part of my responsibility as director. Passing the history and lineage on to new students and attracting alumni back to become involved and support current students is one of my primary goals.
I have been working in higher education for over fifteen years and I honor my position and responsibility to support students in their growth and development as individuals in their personal life, academic life and professional life. We are in the process of moving our departmental outreach and programming to a learning outcome model to ensure purposeful educational intentions throughout all of our programming.
I would like to see The Pennsylvania State University be the number one choice for LGBTA students nationally and to do this, we need to continue to make our services and programming efforts the very best for our students. We welcome involvement and feedback from our constituents and hope that you find the services and support that you, your children or others may need.
My academic background is in Sociology, Social Welfare and College Student Affairs Administration. When I am not working, teaching or taking classes, I can be found in the garden, cooking up a storm, visiting with friends, spending time with my beautiful partner or planning my next big adventure in life. I look forward to many more successful years at Penn State University. Please come by the center to meet me and the rest of the staff and interns.
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
Welcome to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally Student Resource Center (LGBTA SRC)! I am Brian Patchcoski (nickname "Patch") and I am the Assistant Director of the Center. Originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania, I obtained my Master's Degree in College Student Affairs/Higher Education from the Pennsylvania State University and graduated from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Counseling and Human Services and a minor in Art History.
During my undergraduate education, I was involved in student orientations, leadership initiatives, and committed to increasing diversity awareness on campus. While at the University of Scranton, through the encouragement of several mentors, I became interested in issues of social justice and began focusing my academic career on student development, particularly the development of LGBTQQIA students. My undergraduate institution urged me to focus on the care for the "whole" person, or cura personalis - which influenced my choice of graduate study.
During my graduate career, I served as the graduate assistant for the LGBTA Student Resource Center. As the graduate assistant for the center, my primary responsibilities included the scheduling and assessment of the Straight Talks peer-education program, advising the editors of the center's alumni newsletter (The OUTRider) and assessing all the services offered through our Center at Penn State. As part of my co-curricular learning experiences within the College Student Affairs program, I interned at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at Penn State. Recognizing the issues LGBTQQIA individuals encounter while exploring spirituality and religion, I continue to support and provide resources for all students wishing to explore these particular aspects of their identities intersected with their sexual and gender identities.
As the Assistant Director of the Center, I am primarily responsible for the programming offered to the University community - inclusive of National Coming Out Week (NCOD/W), Pride Week, the LGBTA Lecture Series, etc. I also advise student interns, advise student groups, facilitate discussion groups, and work with students one-on-one as they explore who they are relative to their identities.
When not working, I really enjoy reading and spending time with my partner and my dog. I also enjoy running and working out. On a fun note, my favorite place to spend my time is the beach. Whenever I can slip away, you will find me on the beach with a book in my hand.
As the Assistant Director, I hope to continue furthering student interest in social justice work and continue to educate myself and the University community on LGBTQQIA issues. If you have any questions or want to know more, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to meeting you!
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
In traditional Hawaiian culture, when you introduce yourself you are technically supposed go through your entire family lineage starting with the beginning of time. As that will probably cause me to write a trilogy, to save the rainforest I will start with my parents. My mom is Hapa (half) Hawaiian and white. She was born and raised on the Island of Oahu in the State of Hawai‘i. After dropping out of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa she worked full time at a hotel on the Shores of Waikiki. While working she was recruited by aJapanese scoter to be a model in Japan which is where she met my father. My father isHapa (half) Japanese and white born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. They eventually moved to Los Angeles, California and in the great year of 1985 I was born!
As most Hawaiians do, my mom had a longing to return back Hawai‘i. Thus when I was 5 we moved to Hilo, Hawai‘i and I lived there for 20 years until I got my offer letter to work at The Pennsylvania State University at the LGBTA Student Resource Center in January 2010.
When I started my job search about a year ago, I was looking for positions that would allow me to grow as student affairs professional and continue the LGBTIQ work I started in Hawai‘i. I attended the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UH Hilo) where I obtained my BA in Psychology and Sociology in 2007 and later MA in Counseling Psychology in 2009. During that time I was the President for Pride Hilo Gay Straight Alliance for 2 years and worked in a variety of student affairs para-professional positions.
As I am interested in LGBT social support systems, I did my master’s thesis on Drag Families in Hawai‘i. My research revealed that Hawai‘i’s Drag Families act as a social support system for Local LGBT youth in Hawai‘i. As Hawai‘i is 2500 miles away from the continental United States, there are very little resources for people who are LGBT. In addition, ones ethnic identity usually takes precedence and sexual orientation becomes super-invisible as many people will ignore or avoid talking about the subject. One reason for this is because the concept of “LGBT” is considered to be a white “western” idea which connects being LGBT to locals negative feelings toward colonization. The Hawaiian LGBT community is very specialized as it is very much influenced by the local culture of Hawai‘i. Thus to truly understand and support the community it must come from the inside out. The Drag Families act as one form of this support as it is a culturally competent form of support for the Hawaiian LGBT community.
As I am familiar with support systems in Hawai‘i, I applied to the Program Coordinator position at Penn State as it would allow me to continue learning about other LGBT support systems. In addition to my research interest,I had had much experience in student affairs working at the Academic Advising Center,Office of New Student Program, and Office of International Affairs. I saw the Program Coordinator position as good fit for the skills I encompassed.
I moved from the middle of the ocean where the temperature is about 75-80 all year long, to the middle of Pennsylvania where I saw snow fall for the first time. Although moving here has it’s challenges,I really love living and working at Penn State. From the moment I stepped into the LGBTA Student Resource Center, I have been in awe of the motivation and passion that students have here.The change has been an adventure and one that look forward to continuing.
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
I am the Graduate Assistant at the Center. Originally from Southern California, I am loving the atmosphere, environment, and people in State College. I love the school spirit, pride, and dedication of Penn State's student body. I'm most excited to work with such a diverse and amazing group of students! I feel their leadership will make a difference on campus and within the community.
WE ARE...PENN STATE!
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
Updated bio for Rebecca coming soon.
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
I serve as the Graduate Intern in the Center. I am originally from Wisconsin (yes I love cheese). I love to cook and bake for others! My favorite aspect of Penn State is having the opportunity to work with amazing student affairs professionals. I'm most excited to be an advisor for the Alliance and to lead a discussion group.
I look forward to meeting you in the center or at a LGBTA event!
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
"Hey Folks! I'm Cheese! There's pretty much no other anonymous characteristic that you don't know about me because we all share a piece of each other. For instance, we all laugh, cry, envy, hate, get frustrated, feel humiliated, become speechless, let our nerves get the best of us, and even love. There's nothing that isolates the person reading this from the person who wrote it. The only thing that prohibits this world from being united and a writer and a reader from being emotionally in sync is the decision to indulge ourselves in each moment. If you got to the end of this you're probably feeling empty like every other inconvenient truth persuades a person to be. One thing I love about being a student at Penn State is the independence you gain while living on campus and the endless friendships you form with the lovely people around you. It's a fantastic opportunity to take time to get to unpeel the layers of your individuality and let your mind explore new heights. During my internship in the Center, I'm most excited about being a liaison between the numerous multicultural student organizations and the LGBTA SRC at Penn State. I'm anxious to address the needs of my peers in those clubs that are LGBTA supporters and create memories..."
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
Hey, Hey! I'm Julian aka Sparkles and Rainbows! Currently I am the Greek Outreach Intern for the Center. The one thing I love most about Penn State is getting to meet all you wonderful people. This year I am most excited about working to create a better relationship between the LGBTQ and Greek Communities at Penn State. My other activities at Penn State include executive positions with Delta Lambda Phi and Rainbow Roundtable. Most often I am in the office Monday, Wednesday and Friday after noon. Stop by and say hello! :)
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
I am the intern for Racial and Ethnic Outreach. I love Penn State's school spirit and pride. It feels great to yell "WE ARE" to other Penn Staters knowing that you will always get a response. I am really excited to be a liaison to other student organizations because it will help me to meet new interesting people, and I also can't wait to participate in events hosted by the Center, especially the Drag Show.
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
I am the Straight Talks Pro/Greek Outreach Intern. I love being a student at Penn State because of all the different opportunities that this university provides for their students. I love that Penn State holds their students, faculty, and staff to a high standard which motivates us all to be the best that we could be. I'm really excited to work with Julian and Brianna to make the Straight Talks Program the best that it can be, and get the Greek community more involved with the LGBTA community.
The rest of this year is going to be amazing!
101 Boucke Building | Phone: 814-863-1248 | Contact Now
I am the Editor for the alumni newsletter for the OUTRider. I simply love being a student at Penn State. I soak up all the knowledge, from professors and peers alike! I am so excited to work with all the wonderful people I've met so far.