Trish Boyles named new LGBTQIA director

Trish Boyles, a former professor of business and entrepreneurial studies at Muhlenberg College and strategic director with HouseLogix Inc., has been appointed director of Lehigh’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Ally (LGBTQIA) program.
Boyles, who officially begins Oct. 21, will head a program that provides a variety of services to students, faculty and staff on campus, as well as a welcoming space in the University Center’s Rainbow Room.
“I am delighted that Dr. Boyles will be joining the Lehigh family,” said Vice Provost of Student Affairs John Smeaton. “I know she will be a valuable contributor to our university-wide commitment to embrace and put into action the values embedded in the Principles of our Equitable Community.”
Boyles brings with her a deep understanding of LGBTQIA issues. She has been involved in several campus organizations for LGBT support and education, and has conducted doctoral-level research on LGB individuals. Her educational background in strategic planning and management and her practical experience in managing people, planning and projects will be critical to fostering university-wide support for sexual and gender-variant students, Smeaton said.
At Lehigh, Boyles will head up the office that seeks to change the university climate by inspiring a vision of diversity that is aware of, engaged in and appreciative of issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. The LGBTQIA office promotes academic and personal growth and development of LGBTQIA students, in addition to their full involvement in all aspects of campus life.
 
Boyles will work in partnership with the Women’s Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs as part of the Advocacy and Equity unit of the Student Affairs division, and will work with partners across the university to meet the changing needs of LGBTQIA students.
Boyles says she is looking forward to working with the students, faculty, staff and community in her new role.
“I think LGBTQIA Services at Lehigh is well-positioned to make strong and wide-spread partnerships across campus, and I believe the students are really ready for that,” she said.
 
“Based on my conversations with faculty, staff and students at Lehigh, I believe there is a campus-wide vision and growing momentum towards the creation of a climate that not only accepts, but truly empowers LGBTQIA students to be themselves. I look forward to leading the charge to help realize that vision and build on that momentum.”
Previously, Boyles was an assistant professor of business and entrepreneurial studies and associate director of the Faculty Center for Teaching at Muhlenberg College. In addition, she served as a strategic management consultant, held managerial positions in technology industries, ran her own web design company, and worked in non-profit program development.
 
She earned two B.A.s—one in philosophy and religion and another in English Literature—at Appalachian State University, an MBA from the Western Carolina University College of Business, and a Ph.D. in management from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. She has received many awards for research and teaching.