The Prism Center has been serving the diverse queer and trans communities at the University of Vermont since 1999.
We support and empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) students and work to create a campus community where people of all sexual and gender identities can thrive.
The three facets of our work are:
Kate Jerman, Director (pronouns she/her)
Kate joined the center as Director in July 2017. Her career thus far has focused on building communities where all people thrive, health equity, and liberation for queer and trans people. Kate holds a BSW from New York University and an MPH in Sexuality & Health from Columbia University. She is interested in possibilities for radical transformation, ceramics, and reading books of all kinds.
Phone: 802-656-8637 / Email: kjerman@uvm.edu
Robyn Suchy, Student Empowerment Coordinator (pronouns he/him)
Robyn is a first-year master's student in the UVM Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESA) program. Robyn spent the last seven years as the Chapter Manager at Active Minds, a national nonprofit organization, supporting student-led mental health and suicide prevention efforts at more than 650 high schools and colleges across the United States and Canada. He considers it a privilege to support students' passion for a variety of social justice causes and is inspired by their energy and brilliance. Robyn graduated with a BA from Cabrini College and, in his little free time, loves video games, exploring cities, and attempting to win his cat's affection.
Phone: 802-656-8637 / Email: Robyn.Suchy@uvm.edu
Gage Monroe, Community Engagement Coordinator (pronouns she/they)
Since July of 2022, Gage has been working with the Prism Center in her role to uplift the vibrant and radical joy of the queer and trans community in Burlington. Gage received their BS in Mathematics from Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI) and MS in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University (College Station, TX). A self-proclaimed “big, queer nerd” Gage is more than happy to grab a coffee, iced of course, and chat about anything from the latest Big Brother drama, facts about the Great Lakes, to just being a bit silly-goofy.
Phone: 802-656-8637 / Email: Gage.Monroe@uvm.edu
Elyse Ellis, Graduate Assistant (pronouns she/her)
Elyse is a queer, Black, woman originally from St. Louis, MO. She is currently a full-time master's student at the University of Vermont, and holds a bachelor's degree from Truman State University. Her research centers Black students, and particularly focuses on how blackness intersects with other facets of identity such as queerness, gender identity, and spirituality. Elyse's passion for racial justice, student affairs, and education stems from her own experiences and identities. When she is not working with Prism, she can be found cooking, listening to music, or working somewhere else. Whatever she's up to- She can always be found with a fun bevie (or three) in her vacinity. Don't be afraid to say hi!
Phone: 802-656-8637 / Email: Elyse.Ellis@uvm.edu
Kay Franks, Office Manager (pronouns they/them)
Kay joined Prism in March 2023 as the Office Manager, where they offer behind the scenes support for programming and events, work closely with the student staff team, and represent the center in UVM’s Hunger Collaborative. They received their B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Creative Writing from Hamilton College, so they should be used to the cold, Canada-adjacent winters by now. Alas. Kay loves games of all kinds, spooky season, and astrology, and you can always get them out of their office for a seasonal latte or iced tea, and good conversation!
Phone: 802-656-8637 / Email: mmfranks@uvm.edu
The Prism Center strives to develop accessible events, programs, and services. We use campus locations that have gender inclusive restrooms, elevators and wheelchair access whenever possible. Additional accommodations include:
As part of our commitment to building an inclusive community we ask everyone coming to the Prism Center please avoid wearing fragrances. This helps keep our space accessible to those who are harmed by fragrances and chemicals. For more information about why and how to be fragrance-free, please visit this website.
Accessible parking is located at the main entrance to Living & Learning [the Director’s Circle], on University Heights. Vehicles that display accessible parking placards are permitted to park in any open space as long it is not reserved for service or emergency vehicles.
The accessible entrance to Living & Learning is to the left of the main doors. Follow the short path to the ramp access with motorized doors. Once you enter C Building from the hallway, you will find the Prism Center spaces to your right.
Should you need additional accommodations to ensure your full participation, please e-mail us. Please note that some requests can take up to two weeks to coordinate. However, please send us any requests for accommodation and we will work to our fullest extent to assist you. E-mail prism@uvm.edu as soon as possible.
The Prism Center hires several student staff members at the beginning of each academic year to support us in achieving our mission. If you have a work-study award and are interested in working with the diverse members of UVM'S LGBTQ+ community, we'd love to interview you! Our student staff teams help with planning programs and events, marketing and social media, as well as special projects and office administration. To learn more about the available positions or to apply you must use the JobX site accessible through your MyUVM portal or by visiting the Student Employment Office website.
Please consider supporting the Prism Center at UVM. Each year we touch hundreds of lives in positive ways through education, support, and programs. Online giving is convenient and your gift makes a signficant impact in the experiences of LGBTQ+ students on our campus.