April 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month at Henry Ford College’s main campus in Dearborn, Michigan. This month is celebrated with events that emphasize inclusivity and the pride of being one’s authentic self.

Kayla Collins is an associate in the Student Activities office, which oversees all student clubs. She expresses her strong enthusiasm for Pride Month, stating, “Yeah, I love Campus Pride Month. It’s something that I am personally really passionate about.”

Campus Pride Month is intentionally scheduled to align with the academic calendar. “We celebrate Campus Pride Month in April because many students don’t take classes over the summer, and usually clubs aren’t operational during that time,” Collins explained. “April is the last active month of the semester before the summer break begins.”

Collins explains that events range from celebrating creative arts to initiatives like free HIV/AIDS testing and awareness presentations. “A lot of queer students find the arts [at HFC] to be a kind and safe space,” Collins observes.

For newly appointed SAFE@HFC chair, Laura Willman, Campus Pride Month is more than just a celebration; it signifies a commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and leadership. As initiatives supporting queer students grow across higher education, Willman takes pride in HFC’s role in leading these efforts.

“It’s especially important that this committee is becoming more active and present right now with everything going on,” Willman shared. One way the college’s commitment is publicly recognized is through the Campus Pride Index, a national tool that evaluates the inclusivity and accessibility of higher education institutions for LGBTQ+ students. “Last I checked, Henry Ford College is the only community college in Michigan listed on the site,” Willman said. “We’re really setting a precedent that we are an inclusive campus where everyone is welcome and safe.”

A research analyst for HFC and having over 14 years of experience studying gender stereotypes, gender identity, and personality, Willman brings a solid academic foundation to this work at Henry Ford College. This passion led her to become chair of the Safe@HFC Committee. “I recognized the need for faculty and staff to organize and support students, and I’ve been trying to channel my own energy and frustration into initiatives that will have a significant impact.”

Encouraging a nuanced perspective to institutional conversations, Willman always advocates for a deeper understanding. “I’m asking a lot of questions to ensure we capture the uniqueness of different students and groups of students,” she explained. “That should inform our decision-making.”

Through SAFE@HFC, Willman has helped spearhead inclusive initiatives, foster dialogue, and clarify complex identities. “People know they can contact me about events or definitions,” she said. “It’s a great combination of what I’m trained to do and what I’m passionate about—helping as many people as I can.”

HFC continues to build on its commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ students through scholarships, preferred name use across systems, and ally training for faculty, staff, and students. But as both students and staff emphasize, the work doesn’t stop there.

“I believe there is more that can be done,” says Collins. “We could create an LGBTQ Resource Center and collaborate with the Office of Registration and Records to implement a gender identity change form.”

While preferred names can already be updated, Collins hopes the college will eventually allow students to update gender identity information without going through the legal process. She also envisions broader education and wellness resources. “I want to develop more programs focused on sexual health for queer individuals, and training on conflict de-escalation—how to address discrimination in a safe and effective way.”

“In a community college setting, having a strong sense of community is essential, both on and off campus. It’s a very important notion to live by,” said Jo Kenney, the President of the Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) club.

SAGA is a student-led organization that welcomes not only members of the LGBTQ+ community but also allies who support inclusivity among all students. The club has been overseen by English instructor, Chelsea Lonsdale, a faculty advisor who has been with SAGA since its founding in the 2016-2017 academic year and has witnessed its growth and evolution since.

Lonsdale describes herself with a laugh: “I am definitely a control freak, and it’s hard for me to back off sometimes.” She has learned to step back and observe the students, a process that has been both challenging and transformative for her. “Because of the group that it is and the needs that it meets, it can sometimes feel vulnerable, and I feel protective. But watching what students can do and what they’re capable of, if I truly just back off, has been really incredible, Lonsdale said. “I think they’ve flourished because of that.”

Lonsdale emphasizes the importance of support on campus for both students and faculty. She highlights that faculty, as experienced professionals, have responsibilities that extend beyond the classroom. When asked about their most important duty, she responds: “The first thing that comes to mind is understanding. It’s about demonstrating what understanding looks like, what listening looks like, and what it means to make space for diverse experiences and perspectives.” For Lonsdale, these responsibilities are central to being an educator. “We have a responsibility as educators in a public education system, especially one that is focused on access. I believe that’s one of our responsibilities, one of our obligations, and one of our duties—and, frankly, one of our honors and privileges—to facilitate this process.”

Jo Kenney was a member of SAGA for about two years before becoming President. Taking his values from his family, he believes that the sense of community is now more important than ever. “The fundamentals of being part of a community allow you to experiment and express yourself freely in the world.” Kenney shares his hope that his work with SAGA will lead him to similar educational roles as those held by his family, including his stepmother, Jodi Kenney, who is a member of the Enrollment Services team at the Welcome Center.

Being a leader in SAGA has shown him personal growth, and he recalls one of his favorite moments at the beginning of the Winter semester when he had a full room for the first time, a stark contrast to the low turnout of the previous semester.

Kenney reflects: “I realize that, given the privileges I have on campus, it’s imperative for me to use them to benefit others. I want to help others improve themselves along similar paths to the ones I have taken.”

At the beginning of the semester, Chase Lett, a first-time member of SAGA, was among the attendees. Sharing the desire to find community and connection, Lett decided to take on the role of secretary for SAGA. Having participated in most of the club events, his favorite was the collaboration with the University of Michigan-Dearborn for their annual drag show on March 27th. He recalled, “It was a really good time. There were a variety of performers and a bunch of information and resources available. I took my friend, who is a big fan of drag shows; she loves them. We had a great time! As a club, we are very small, and while we’ve organized a few events, our outreach isn’t as extensive as it could be. Attending the drag show was a significant moment for us; it was our biggest turnout all semester.”

Lett invites people to participate in SAGA, emphasizing that it’s a place for open conversations. “SAGA is here so that we can have those conversations.”

Lonsdale sees opportunities to expand support beyond LGBTQ+ needs alone. “I would love to see a dedicated social worker or caseworker on campus,” she says. “Someone who can help students navigate things like housing, legal documents, transportation, or food assistance. Those issues spill into school life, and having that kind of support right on campus would make a big difference.”

As Pride Month continues to unfold on campus, all involved with coordinating events find it heartening to see Henry Ford College not only celebrating its LGBTQ+ community but also striving to uplift it through advocacy, collaboration, celebration, and meaningful action. From students to faculty and staff working together, they are building more than just events; they are shaping a culture of empathy, understanding, and progress.

As Kenney puts it, “The fundamentals of being part of a community allow you to experiment and express yourself freely in the world.” And at HFC, that freedom is being protected, nurtured, and expanded—one conversation, one initiative, and one student at a time.

SAGA works to create an environment where faculty, staff, and students work together to create inclusive, educational, and celebratory experiences for the LGBTQ+ community on campus. Central to this collaboration are two key groups: SAGA and the Safe@HFC committee, a group of faculty and staff dedicated to making the campus a safer place.

SAGA meets every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:30 PM in Building M, Room 109. All resources from SAFE@HFC can also be accessed at: linktr.ee/safe.hfcc.