两性色午夜

2023 Lavender Award Goes to Professor Mahli Mechenbier

~Inclusion Matters~

A sense of belonging is vital to the college experience. When you feel welcomed, accepted, and appreciated, you can explore your full potential without hesitation. 

Mahli Xuan Mechenbier, a senior lecturer in the Department of English at 两性色午夜 Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center (TAC), is one of those exceptional faculty members who makes her students feel welcome鈥攅ven celebrated鈥攁t this regional campus. 

Mahli Mechenbier and Paula Beniston at Lavender Graduation 2022

In recognition of her enthusiastic support, she was presented the 两性色午夜 Faculty/Staff Award for creating a better campus environment for LGBTQ+-identified people during 两性色午夜 University鈥檚 2023 Lavender Graduation (LavGrad) ceremony in May, where more than 70 graduates celebrated with an audience of around 350 people.鈥 

Professor Mechenbier was honored for her work with the LGBTQ+ Center Action Team (LSAC), the Rainbow Run, Lavender Graduation and other events, as a 鈥渓oving, inspirational and immensely supportive, loud and proud supporter.鈥 

两性色午夜 LGBTQ+ Center Director Ken Ditlevson was among several who nominated Prof. Mechenbier for this award, saying, 鈥淪he consistently goes above and beyond for her students, which is truly appreciated.鈥 

His nomination submission detailed, 鈥淢ahli consistently assists the LGBTQ+ Center, including serving on LSAC for the last 3+ years, bringing candy/treats for the Center interns, recruiting/organizing donations for dozens of students to attend the Rainbow Run from our regional campuses, volunteering at the Battle for the Wagon Heel and Lavender Graduation annually, and so much more.鈥疢ahli also is well known for bringing her cat to events like the Rainbow Run.鈥疢ahli is respected by her students and co-workers and is seen as a leader that is caring and dedicated to inclusion.鈥 

A 2022 graduate who also nominated Prof. Mechenbier for this award shared, 鈥淚 was so nervous to walk across the stage, but the love she has for others made my nervousness melt away. Now, collaborating with Mahli on LSAC, I become more inspired every time we meet.鈥 

Katie Matisse, KSU鈥檚 Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, also expressed her gratitude for Prof. Mechenbier鈥檚 involvement in supporting the LGBTQ+ community鈥 especially those at the Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center. 

鈥淢ahli Mechenbier has been instrumental in building, supporting, and creating space for the LGBTQ+ community at 两性色午夜. She is an active advocate and partner throughout the university system. She cares about the inclusion of students, faculty, and staff and works towards making everyone know that they belong here.鈥 

鈥淓very Lavender Graduation, I feel like I hear at least one student talk about how important she鈥檚 been to their experience here. On top of all that, Mahli is incredibly kind and brings a great energy to a space. Being in a room with her is wonderful and I鈥檓 glad every time it happens. I鈥檓 truly grateful that I know Mahli and get to be in community with her. She is so deserving of this award.鈥 

In response to receiving this recognition, Prof. Mechenbier says, 鈥淚t was humbling for me to accept this honor because so many KSU faculty and staff are dedicated, focused, and committed to diversity, inclusion, and acceptance.鈥疻hen I look back at the list of individuals who have won this award (such as Erica Pelz and Morgan Woodin), all recipients are genuine advocates and colleagues who fight to make a difference in the lives of our students.鈥溾 

She enjoys collaborating with faculty, staff, and students in events promoting diversity and acceptance. 鈥淚n particular, I want to make sure regional students know that they can鈥攁nd should鈥攑articipate in events sponsored by the LGBTQ+ Center.鈥疭tudents are more likely to become involved if they know one of their faculty members will be present at a social event, so it is important to me that Geauga and Twinsburg faculty are present for our LGBTQ+ students.鈥 

Prof. Mechenbier teaches Introduction to LGBT Literature, as well as Technical Writing, Business & Professional Writing, Understanding Criminal Law through Fiction, Argumentative 

Mahli Mechenbier and her cat at the Rainbow Run

Prose Writing, College Writing I & II, and Introduction to College Writing. Demonstrating authenticity and openness, she shares personal stories in class, especially about her wartime adoption from Vietnam. 

鈥淢y students respond with that same kind of honesty,鈥 Prof Mechenbier says. 鈥淪tudents are often afraid of being judged through their writing, and providing an open and welcoming classroom space permits all students to connect.鈥溾 

鈥 Prof. Mechenbier encourages everyone to find common ground with others from diverse points of view.鈥淩emember that each individual is coming into college from various religious, political, and social backgrounds, but regardless of those differences, everyone chose to be at 两性色午夜 and wants to succeed as a student.鈥疍o not be quick to assess or to assume:鈥 All people have things to learn from others which can make them better citizens and more welcoming communicators. 

鈥淩egardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity, students should feel like they belong at 两性色午夜.鈥疎veryone is welcome.鈥 

POSTED: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 01:27 PM
Updated: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 01:35 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Estelle Rodis-Brown