Staff

Program Director for LGBTQ Affairs:

Jennifer Hoefle-Olson

Student Union, Room 404-O
PO BOX 210017
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 626-1996
jhoefle@email.arizona.edu

Jennifer Hoefle-Olsen is the Program Director for LGBTQ Affairs through the Dean of Students Office. She earned a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from Northern Arizona University in 2001. She has over ten years experience in higher education as both a faculty member and a student affairs professional. She was an adjunct faculty member for five years at NAU where, among other courses, she taught a Sociology of Sexuality and a special topics course in Race, Class and Gender. Since 2007 she has served the University of Arizona campus. She was the Program Director for Social Justice Education Programs through the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership until 2009 when she took this position. As the Program Director for LGBTQ Affairs, she serves as a hub for LGBTQ work on the UA campus. In this role she directs the Safe Zone Training Program, runs an internship program that provides students the opportunity to plan a variety of events and programs, advises Pride Alliance, and collaborates with CAPS on an LGBTQ Support Group, among other things. She is the 2011 recipient of Wingspan’s Godat Award. The Godat Award was created in 1998 to recognize extraordinary long-term contributions by an individual to Southern Arizona’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. She is the 2011-2012 recipient of the Individual Staff Award for the University of Arizona’s Inclusive Excellence Awards. The Inclusive Excellence Awards recognize individuals and groups who have demonstrated a significant contribution toward enhancing the academic distinction of The University of Arizona by creating a diverse and inclusive community.

LGBTQ Affairs Graduate Assistants:

Liz Kelley is the Graduate Assistant for Ally Development and is primarily responsible for coordinating the Safe Zone training program. Liz is a graduate student in the Higher Education program. Liz is from Cape Elizabeth, Maine and is an alumna of the The University of Maine (Go Black Bears!) where she received her bachelor's in International Affairs and Political Science. During her undergraduate career Liz served as a Senior Resident Assistant, Peer Educator, President of the UMaine chapter of Amnesty International, and as an Academic Coordinator for Duke University's Talent Identification Program. Prior to moving to Arizona, she also volunteered for several political campaigns championing rights for Maine's LGBTQ community, including No On 1: Maine Won't Discriminate and No On 1: Protect Maine Equality. Liz is excited to work with such a great team and to help foster a positive environment for the LGBTQ population at The U of A.
ehkelley@email.arizona.edu
 

 

 

Juan Pereyra is the Graduate Intern Coordinator for the LGBTQ Affairs Office and is primarily responsible for supervising the Pride Alliance Intern Team as well as assistance in coordinating any events put on by LGBTQ Affairs. Juan is a first year graduate student in the Master's Program for Higher Education Administration at the University of Arizona and is originally from The Bronx, NY. He graduated from the State University of New York, University at Buffalo (Go BULLS!) in May 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and minor in Spanish. As an undergraduate, Juan was heavily involved on campus with student run clubs such as the LGBTA and the Latin American Student Association (LASA) as well as academic programs including the Daniel Acker Scholars Program and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program. His most recent accomplishment was his presentation at a Ronald E. McNair National Research Conference in Niagara Falls, NY, in which he discussed his research on undocumented students and their pursuit of higher education. Juan is excited to be starting a new chapter of his life in Tucson, AZ and is ecstatic to be working with an amazing team of interns! jpereyra@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

Pride Alliance Co-Directors:

 Christina Bischoff is a senior studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This is her fourth year working with Pride Alliance, and she is glad to be returning as a co-director after having served as every other position available within the organization. Some of her pet projects within Pride Alliance have included Day of Silence, Coming Out Week, and Asexual Awareness Day. Education and outreach are her top priorities, and she hopes to continue improving this programming during her last year. She plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Health Behavior and Education so that she can improve the health disparities affecting LGBTQ youth. Until then, she is excited to participate in the queerification of UA. chrismb@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kaleb Stephens is an undergraduate studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This is his first year as a co-director after interning with Pride Alliance last year. He hopes to create inclusive programming that reaches identities beyond sexual and gender identities. He is excited to offer support to queer students and to spread awareness to potential allies. When he grows up, he wants to work for healthcare/social justice nonprofits, be a beekeeper, meet a mermaid, and maybe get a little taller.
karlims@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pride Alliance Interns:

Chris Sogge likes sunsets, long walks on the beach, and candlelit dinners. He's currently a junior majoring in both sociology and gender/women's studies and plans to be part of the social activism happening around queer issues when he is done with college. You can hit him up at csogge@email.arizona.edu. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica Felix (AKA Pants) is an Education and Diversity Chair. A sophomore and Art major at the University of Arizona, Jess intends to use these positions to spread a more friendly and inclusive idea of pride. jefelix@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Katie Kilby is in her junior year as a student of Public Health. She is interested in health initiatives for under-served populations, and working collaboratively on a community-based level to combat a variety of health issues. Katie hopes to encourage inclusive and supporting environments throughout campus, regardless of sexual or gender identity. kkilby@email.arizona.edu

 

  

 

 

 

 

Pedro Carlos Espitia is a native Tucsonan who is currenty a Junior at the University of Arizona studying Spanish as his major. As an intern, and more importantly as a leader in the areas of Outreach and Social Events for the Pride Alliance, he hopes to use his skills to not only help out the Pride Alliance, but the LGBTQ Community in Tucson as well. espitia@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alicia Born is a junior majoring in public health with a minor in chemistry. She is a chair person for Transgender Awareness Week and also Diversity. She has been very involved in social justice work since coming the the university, working with the Residence Life Group Advocates Coming Together for two years. This semester as an intern, she hopes to work with other student groups on campus to incorporate diversity into events. She also hopes to raise awareness about asexuality, and to put on a successful Transgender Awareness Week. aborn@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Randy Yazzie is a senior majoring in Family Studies and Human Development with a thematic minor focusing on LGBTQ Leadership and Health Education. He was a former intern with Pride Alliance who is returning again for his final semester as an undergrad. This semester he is the cochair of the Health and Wellness position. Randy is very passionate about evening the playing field for those that are marginalized and disadvantaged and is pleased to be an intern once again. yazzier@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Meghan Bergersen is in her third year here at the University of Arizona and is currently double majoring in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in Classics.  She enjoys reading, watching  movies, and being a Wildcat. Meghan is passionate LGTB+ issues and intends to go to law school after graduating. mnberger@email.arizona.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alicia Archaga is a freshman majoring in Biology and Science Education. She hopes to be a high school teacher who promotes social inclusivity both inside the classroom and out. She is involved with the Queer Film Series and the Education committee. Alicia is also responsible for taking pictures this semester so you probably shouldn't get on her bad side. aarchaga@email.arizona.edu

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Brianna Mason is a junior majoring in Family Studies and Human Development with a minor in psychology. She hopes to attend graduate school for couple and family therapy. She is passionate about social justice and human equality which is why she decided to become a pride intern. She is the chair for social, diversity, and transadvocacy committees. bmason8@email.arizona.edu

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cynthia Lee is an undergraduate student studying Public Health and Business Economics. This semester she is one of the fabulous Health and Wellness chairs, and hopes to hold the biggest free HIV testing event yet! She looks forward to all of our awesome events this year, especially tie dyeing parties and hopefully a flashmob with rainbow umbrellas (*crosses fingers). This will be her last semester interning with ASUA Pride Alliance for she is graduating in May! ctlee90@email.arizona.edu