Professional/Paraprofessional Staff

  • Dr. Susan Harper

    Dr. Susan Harper (she/her/her or any pronouns offered with respect) serves as the Director of The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success at Iowa State University. She holds an MA and PhD in Cultural Anthropology from Southern Methodist University and an MA in Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies from Texas Woman’s University. Prior to coming to Iowa State, she served as Coordinator of Multicultural Student Services at the University of North Texas at Dallas, overseeing multicultural, diversity, and identity-based program. She shares her life with her wife, Stephanie; a veritable jungle of plants; and the world's two most spoiled felines.

    About

  • Daniel Rau

    Danny Rau (he/him) serves as Assistant Director of The Center. He assumed his role in September 2022. A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Danny spent the last few years in and around San Marcos, Texas where he earned his M.Ed. in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Texas State University. His most recent role prior to coming to Iowa State was in the Department of Student Involvement at TXST. Stop by The Center and say hello, or offer Danny a warm welcome by emailing him at drau@iastate.edu.

    About

  • Nathan Ferrell

    ​Nathan (Nate) the Graduate Assistant for the Center of LGBQTIA+ Student Success and will be graduating in May with his degree in Higher Education - Student Affairs. In his free time, he loves playing kickball and softball, sleeping, and being a house dad for a fraternity. Currently he is working on the Campus Pride Index for Iowa State, supervising the Crafternoon committee, and helping develop a drag event for the center! Come visit the fourth floor to find him.

    About

Student Employees

  • Vasudha Arora

    I’m Vasudha Arora and I’m majoring in Business Analytics. While confidence and expression define me very well, I’m a total people’s person, which makes working at The Centre for me the most fun job ever! You can talk to me about absolutely anything but if it's Taylor Swift we’re talking about, I’ll like you instantly.

  • Skylxr Manna

    Skylxr (they/he/fae) has been a front desk worker at The Center since August 2023. They are a senior Psychology student with minors in Human Development and Family Studies, Sociology, and Women and Gender Studies. On campus, you can also find him serving as the treasurer for the Pride Alliance, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion coordinator for the Psychology Club, and Vice President of the Aromantic Asexual Alliance. Faer current research revolves around the lived experiences of stigma in the queer community, and they plan to pursue graduate school to become a therapist that serves neurodivergent queer teens and emerging adults. He loves video games, books, and anime and will gladly talk your ear off about any of these, given the opportunity.

  • Allison McPherson

    Allie (she/hers/they) serves as a front desk assistant at the Center. She is double-majoring in English and Women's & Gender Studies here at Iowa State and is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is heavily involved around campus, serving as an executive member for a student organization, Tri Iota, and a member of The Vine student ministry at CPC, among other things. If you ever need to talk about Twilight, Hozier, or romance books, Allie is your gal!

  • Elie Roddy

    Elie Roddy (she/her) serves as a front desk attendant for The Center. She is new this semester, but is very excited to meet everyone. From Kansas City, Missouri, Elie is a senior majoring in forestry at Iowa State University. She also works as a TA on campus in the department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. She is passionate about environmental justice and her hobbies include hiking, baking, and painting.

  • Patrick Slater

    Slater (he/they) is a sophomore studying public relations serving as a Front Desk Assistant at the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success. At the Center, Slater likes to work on Social Media and Communication projects. In his free time he loves reading queer books, creative writing, and playing board games with his friends.