Grand opening • October 11, 2022 • Noon – 3 p.m. • College Center Lounge
Inver Hills Community College is announcing the opening of the Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality in the College Center. The Student Senate voted to move their shared office with Phi Theta Kappa from CC 136 to Student Life, allowing the new center to have a high-traffic location on campus. Furniture for the center was donated by Bellacor.
The Prism Center offers support, resources, and community to people:
Identifying under the LGBTQ2SIA+ umbrella- Experiencing gender discrimination and violence
- Serving as allies and advocates for these populations
The Prism Center’s grand opening celebration takes place in the College Center Lounge (adjacent to the center in CC 136) from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2022. The event coincides with National Coming Out Day. Food will be provided. The grand opening program features the Inver Hills Choir along with messages from:
- Michael Berndt, Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College President
- Dr. Rachel Roberson, Vice President of Equity and Inclusion
- Kari Rusch-Curl, Vice President of Student Affairs
- Dr. Amy Zsohar, Communication Faculty and LGBT+ Club Sponsor
- Mae Lemm, LGBT+ Club President
“The Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality is the first of its kind at Inver Hills,” said Mae Lemm, president of the college’s LGBT+ Club. Mae worked with Dr. Zsohar and others to develop and launch the new center. “I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved in making this happen. October 11, 2022, is going to be a date to remember for the LGBTQ+ community. I hope people can find a safe haven in the center and connect.”
WHAT: Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality Grand Opening
WHEN: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 • Noon – 3 p.m.
WHERE: College Center Lounge next to the Prism Center (CC 136)
Inver Hills Community College
2500 80th Street East
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076Maps & Locations
More about the Prism Center…
“The Prism Center was a labor of love started by a group of students who wanted a more welcoming and inclusive campus for themselves and future students,” reported Dr. Zsohar, who partnered with the students along with Michael Birchard, former associate vice president of equity and inclusion, and Dr. Wendy Robinson, former vice president of student success, to write an open letter to the college requesting:
- More gender-neutral restrooms
- A gender-neutral locker room
- More training around gender and sexuality inclusivity, including Safe Space Training
- Easier processes for name changes
- An LGBTQ center
“Opening the Prism Center is the last item to check off on this list,” Dr. Zsohar added. “The center is a space where LGBTQIA folk can gather and find community outside the heteronormative spaces. We will house resources specific to LGBTQ folk, focusing on food and housing insecurity, sexual health items, and more. We are also looking for individuals interested in volunteering at the Prism Center—once or on a routine basis. Please join us for the grand opening and celebrate this awesome accomplishment. Come and be a part of this amazing population and place!”
Learn more about the new Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality by contacting:
Amy Zsohar, PhD
Communication and Interdisciplinary Studies Faculty
LGBT+ Club Faculty Sponsor
651-450-3659
