Classroom Panels
Presidency
USGA Presidency is tasked with overseeing USGA as an organization, running things behind the scenes, and handling logistics. Presidency plans opening socials at the beginning of each semester, closing socials at the end of each semester, and assists the USGA committees with other meetings as needed. As a team, the presidency runs the Facebook page and groups, holds weekly leadership meetings, and leads the Thursday activities. The USGA Advisory Board (see About Us for more information) selects the presidency, and then the presidency organizes the general leadership team.
Carolyn Gassert (President), Hayden Hall, Rin Butler (Vice Presidents)
& August Molina (Secretary)
Communications Committee
The Communications committee is unique in that they do not plan traditional meetings/activities for the USGA community. Rather, they are in charge of producing multimedia projects that highlight USGA’s message, purpose, and community. Video projects, Faces of USGA, and the USGA blog are excellent examples of things the Communications committee can seek to expand and improve.
Cutler Whitmore (Chair)
Community Committee
The Community committee’s task is to help create and promote a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive atmosphere for attendees. USGA exists to provide community and friendship for the LGBTQ/SSA students of BYU as well as their allies. With this in mind, Community meetings should allow participants the opportunity to find friends and get to know their peers better, as well as have fun and feel included by others.
Greyson Richards (Chair), Arianna Dodge (Committee Members)
Intersectionality Committee
The Intersectionality committee is tasked with planning meetings that educate attendees on the interconnected nature of social categorizations. Race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and many other categorizations have overlapping systems of discrimination and disadvantage, and each of these groups need allies within the LGBTQ/SSA community. Intersectionality activities should educate participants on the importance of allyship to other demographics as well as promote the voices of those belonging to different social categorizations, especially those within the BYU community.
Maeve Boyack (Chair), Brooke Andreasen, Jeffrey (Committee Members)
History Committee
The History committee is tasked with educating attendees on the history of the LGBTQ/SSA community. Whether that be concerning the community on a global/national scale or simply the people that have attended BYU in the past, there is a rich history of activism and symbols to be explored. The committee may also provide opportunities for participants to navigate and share their own personal histories with one another.
Aubree Curtis (Chair) & Giordano (Committee Member)
Faith & Service Committee
The Faith & Service committee focuses on faith-building and faith-exploring activities, as well as providing opportunities for service in the community. Like it says in USGA’s mission statement, “we ask our members… to be respectful of… the beliefs and experiences of others.” The Faith & Service committee has the unique task of balancing activities that build faith in Christ, while recognizing the varying beliefs and values that exist among the participants of USGA. Wherever a USGA attendee finds themselves in regards to their faith and beliefs, they should feel comfortable and welcome at USGA and Faith & Service activities. Service opportunities should provide attendees the chance to give back to their community as well as learn more about what the community has to offer them and others.
Gabby Hubble (Chair), Joshua Smith (Committee Member)
Friends & Allies Committee
The Friends & Allies committee has the goal of helping all USGA participants to become better allies with members of BYU’s LGBTQ/SSA community. While a big portion of this focus is dedicated to helping cisgender and straight attendees learn more about their role as allies, it is also important that members of the community are allies with one another. Learning more about the various identities that exist within the community and how we can support and befriend those different from ourselves should be the driving force behind the activities of this committee.
Sophie Gordon (Chair) & Deegan Minchey, Adam Garrett (Committee Members)
Student Outreach Committee
The Student Outreach committee works to reach, connect with, and invite queer and ally BYU students to participate in USGA activities and cultivate interest in USGA as an organization and meeting space. They are a collaborative committee that works hand-in-hand with the Communications committee and Presidency to facilitate campaigns such as social media takeovers, student highlights, and the Queer Mentorship Program. This committee should also be a leader in engaging with new students at weekly USGA activities, and encouraging other USGA Leadership members to do the same.