As the former founding of the Q Center, a racial justice gender and sexuality center at the University of Washington, Dr. Jen Self has been at the forefront of creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for queer and trans communities in education. Dr. Self has over two decades of experience in working with queer and trans communities, racial justice, and multi-racial coalition organizing/healing across issues and communities. Their expertise in identity and leadership development, program development and implementation, policy analysis/development, training and curriculum development, and accessible health/mental health care, has been instrumental in bringing about significant change in how the university supports and engages with these communities.
Committing to Making Real Change
One of the key ways that Dr. Self has been able to transform education for queer and trans communities is by working with leaders within the university and helping them to commit to making real change. They understand that in order to see real progress, leaders must be willing to put in the time and effort required to make a difference. As Dr. Self explains, “Leaders must be willing to slow down, commit time to culture change, after all we have been at this oppression thing for 400 years. Expecting a one-off training to do the job is just not it.” This emphasis on the importance of leadership commitment is key to creating sustainable change in any organization.
Dr. Self also understands that in order to enact permanent, lasting change, leaders must assess their own relationships to institutional power, white supremacy and how they impact their leadership. Unlearning internalized privilege, bias, and prejudice, examining its impact on one’s leadership, and committing to the time and effort required to implement such changes is what is required of an equitable leader. Leaders often excuse their organizations by saying, equity takes too much time from the real work. Dr. Self insists that implementing justice strategies and culture change is the real work. Dr. Self says, “If you want a guarantee of success, commit to the disruption and ®evolution of systemic power every minute, every day, all-the-time, in everything you do.”
There is No One-Size-Fits-All
In addition to working with leaders, Dr. Self also provides coaching and strategies to individuals and organizations that are looking to make a difference in the lives of queer and trans communities. They understand that everyone is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. As such, they work with each individual or organization to create a personalized plan that addresses their specific needs and goals. This approach is key to ensuring that the solutions that are implemented are tailored to the unique needs of the organization or individual.
When it comes to guarantees, Dr. Self is upfront that that change comes where there is commitment and consistency. “It does not matter where you are starting this journey, it matters that you start and that you continue,” urges Dr. Self. They guarantee that if you show up and work with their team and they will create a a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. This approach is key to ensuring that the solutions that are implemented are tailored to the unique needs of the organization or individual.
Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Environment
Dr. Self’s scholarship orbits around questions at the intersections of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic justice, and cultural change. They believe that to truly forge a free and democratic society, everyone must have unfettered access to education, teachers with whom they connect, structural support and resources, and accessible, relatable pathways to their visions of success. Through their former work at the UW Q Center, Dr. Self was an innovator who created a more inclusive and equitable environment for queer and trans communities in education.
In conclusion, Dr. Jen Self’s leadership at the UW Q Center was a vital force in transforming education for queer and trans communities. They understand that change takes time and effort, and they are dedicated to working with leaders to make real change happen. They also provide coaching and strategies to individuals and organizations that are looking to make a difference in the lives of queer and trans communities. Their work is essential in creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for queer and trans communities in education. Through their expertise in identity and leadership development, program development and implementation, policy analysis/development, training and curriculum development, and accessible health/mental health care, Dr. Self is able to create solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each individual and organization. Their dedication to creating a free and democratic society, where everyone has access to education and opportunities, is evident in their work and continues to drive the progress being made at the UW Q Center.