SGISD PhD Student Explores LGBTQ+ Student Inclusion and Support in Two Recent Publications

LGBTQ+ students, particularly LGBTQ+ students who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, often face unique challenges at school, including hostility, bullying, and safety concerns. Innovative school and campus support structures are critical for LGBTQ+ students’ safety and educational engagement.

SGISD PhD candidate Matthew McClellan recently published two works exploring LGBTQ+ student experiences with inclusion and support in K–12 and college education settings.

Matthew’s book chapter, Reimagining LGBTQ Student Inclusion and Support in Schools, examines collaborative support structures for K–12 LGBTQ+ students in schools. His chapter discusses how integrated support programs in schools can help empower and educate teachers and staff to provide more adequate and culturally competent support and resources to students, address school inequalities, and help establish more inclusive and supportive education environments.

Matthew also conducted a qualitative study with 14 LGBTQ+ college students to learn about their experiences attending college at a conservative university. His article, LGBTQ College Students’ Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Support on a Conservative Campus proposes strategies for increasing LGBTQ+ representation, facilitating campus education, and creating inclusive policies at the university level.

Matthew’s research interests include queer studies, immigrant and refugee rights, nonprofit leadership, social and cultural issues, equity, and inclusion. In 2020, Matthew also published a book review in the International Journal of Community Well-Being, which reviews the book “Development and Connection in the Time of COVID-19” by Cornelia C. Walther. Read the full review.