Sexual & Gender Diverse Resources

The easiest way to update your chosen name is visit accounts.psu.edu. Students and Penn State account holders can use this portal to update their chosen name, elect their chosen prefixes, pronouns and other identifying information. This will update most of Penn State’s systems, including LionPATH, Canvas, Outlook, and more, to reflect your chosen name.

Directory information is defined as information which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Penn State students can edit their Penn State directory listing information online.

• All information that you choose to include in your directory entry is publicly displayed and available to everyone online. Please exercise caution when providing information about yourself. Learn more about the directory and the services provided now.

Penn State Student Legal Services offers guidance and support for students navigating the name-change process, providing legal assistance and resources to help make each step clearer and more accessible. Eligible students can also receive financial support through Student Fee–funded assistance.

• Learn more about legal support avenues for students

This scholarship is in recognition of Allison Subasic for her service and dedication as the former and founding director of the LGBTQA Student Resource Center (now the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity).  

Consideration for this award shall be given to full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at the University who are active participants in the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) and who have demonstrated advocacy for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community through their active involvement with the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity.  

Eligibility: 

• Full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
• Active participation in the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Demonstrate advocacy and active involvement with the broader LGBT community at Penn State

Apply for the Allison Subasic Community Builder Scholarship

The Barry H. Marshal Scholarship provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State who have a demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses and who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at any Penn State campus
• Demonstration of financial need (must have a FAFSA on file)
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference is given to students from New York State
• Preference is given to students in good academic standing

Apply for the Barry H. Marshal Scholarship

The Bruce Miller and Dean LaVigne Trustee Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, who have a demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses and who have demonstrated an interest in advocating for or contributing to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
• Pell Grant eligible or demonstration of financial need (must have a FAFSA on file)
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference is given to students in good academic standing

Apply for the Bruce Miller and Dean LaVigne Trustee Scholarship

The Henderson and Marshall Military Leadership Scholarship recognizes full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State who have an interest in and concern for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied community at the University and have demonstrated efforts toward improving the climate and well-being of LGBTQA individuals through advocacy, awareness, and leadership with the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and who are either United States military students or who are enrolled or planning to enroll in Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (ROTC) program at the University.

Eligibility

• Full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
• Interest and concern for the well being of LGBTQA individuals through advocacy
• Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
• Preference shall be given to students in the United States military or who are enrolled or are planning to enroll in the Penn State Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program (U.S. military is defined as veterans, active duty, reservists, or National Guard)

Apply for the Henderson and Marshall Military Leadership Scholarship

The purpose of the Lambda Alumni Outstanding Student Award is to honor and recognize contributions to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community achieved by an undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled at Penn State.

Eligibility

• All full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Penn State
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Anticipated advocacy and involvement with the LGBT community as an alumni of Penn State
• Preference given to those in good academic standing

Apply for the Lambda Alumni Outstanding Student Award

The Marc David Foundation Award is to recognize an outstanding undergraduate student at Penn State University Park who has achieved outstanding academic success and has demonstrated leadership and advocacy in the LGBTQA community at the university through their involvement in the LGBTQA Student Resource Center.  

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled at Penn State's University Park campus
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
• Preference is given to students in good academic standing

Apply for the Marc David Foundation Award 

The Masel-McClin LGBTQA Scholarship provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State's University Park campus
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference is given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Engineering
• Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
• Preference is given to students in good academic standing

Apply for the Masel-McClin LGBTQA Scholarship

The Richard Lamar Schlegel Scholarship shall be given to full-time undergraduate students who have a demonstrated financial need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses and whose academic studies, co-curricular studies, volunteerism, leadership, student organization interests, advocacy, projects, and/or internships focus on the origins and practices of homophobia and/or the countermeasures against fear and discrimination which homophobia engenders.

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at any Penn State campus
• Demonstration of financial need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to countermeasures against fear and discrimination which homophobia engenders

Apply for the Richard Lamar Schlegel Scholarship

The Steve Artz and Tom Strickler Arts and Architecture Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State's University Park campus
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference is given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Arts and Architecture (or other academic unit that focuses on visual and performing arts, art, dance, music, or education)
• Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
• Preference is given to students in good academic standing

Apply for the Steve Artz and Tom Strickler Arts and Architecture Scholarship

The Winonah E. Miller Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students who are at least fifth-semester standing
• Demonstration of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference is given to students enrolled in a degree program in the Department of Architecture in the College of Arts and Architecture
• Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds

Apply for the Winonah E. Miller Scholarship

The Tom Strickler and Steve Artz Engineering Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State, University Park who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) community.

Eligibility

• All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State's University Park campus
• Demonstration or anticipation of advocating for or contributing to the LGBT community
• Preference is given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Engineering
• Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated financial need for funds
• Preference is given to students in good academic standing

Apply for the Tom Strickler and Steve Artz Engineering Scholarship

The Hans Family Engineering Scholarship shall be given to full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled or who plan to enroll in the College of Engineering, or successor academic unit, who are advocated of or who contribute to the LGBTQ+ community.

Eligibility

• From the identified pool of eligible recipients, and to the extend possible, first preference shall be given to students who are majoring in or who plan to major in Industrial Engineering, or successor academic major.

Apply for the Hans Family Engineering Scholarship

The Dr. Susan R. Rankin Award, established in 2007, honors someone who shows leadership, integrity, and has made outstanding contributions to Penn State. It is given annually to a student, staff member, faculty member, community member, or organization who has provided leadership and service to the LGBTQA community and who demonstrates outstanding efforts in leadership, integrity, and contributions to the LGBTQA community.

Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations from all Penn State constituents and community members are encouraged.

Leadership

• Maintains excellence as a role model for students, faculty, and staff at Penn State
• Demonstrates leadership in supporting students who are members of the LGBTQA community
• Represents genuine accountability in upholding the integrity of the LGBTQA community at Penn State

Integrity

• Demonstrates integrity in the promotion of a positive identity for LGBTQA students throughout the University and local community
• Values and succeeds at working with individuals who are different than themselves
• Challenges the status quo by taking risks to raise awareness and educate others

Outstanding Contributions

• Has made meaningful contributions to students, faculty, and staff at Penn State
• Demonstrates on-going efforts to add to the support services for LGBTQA students, faculty, and staff at Penn State
• Demonstrates care, flexibility, initiative, creativity, and perseverance in all efforts

Nominations are sought for individuals within the University community who have shown outstanding service regarding LGBTQ concerns at The Pennsylvania State University. The definition of service is open to interpretation, but all nominees should be active participants in improving the climate of diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ people at Penn State. Self-nominations are accepted.

Nominations are sought for individuals at The Pennsylvania State University community who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the areas of research, teaching, and/or academic course work. Nominations should preferably acknowledge meritorious faculty, staff and students whose academic achievements are LGBTQ-focused but could also acknowledge the achievements of LGBTQ people in any area of research, teaching and student scholastic engagement. Self-nominations are accepted.