Alejandro Gómez, clinical counselor at the Counseling Center, recently was recognized by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access for his advocacy of LGBTQ Affairs at the university with the Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award.

Gómez, who has been on staff at the Counseling Center since 2012, has been an integral part of the Center’s Queer & Ally Outreach Committee. He is actively involved in coordinating events and ally trainings to help facilitate the development of University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff around issues of sexual orientation, and to improve the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students through advocacy and education. His efforts for the LGBTQ student community also extend to his roles as chair for the Center’s Latino/a Student Outreach and co-chair for the Suicide Prevention Team. In Student Affairs, he serves on many committees that include: Inclusive Illinois and the Student Affairs Professional Development. In addition, he co-chairs both the Student Affairs Diversity Committee and the Chancellor’s Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns.

“I’m thrilled that Alejandro was recognized with this award,” says Carla McCowan, Counseling Center Director. “He works tirelessly to develop and carry out programming that promotes inclusion and equal access to all Illinois students, and I’m glad his efforts have been acknowledged.”

Congratulations, Alejandro!