Ithaca College Tops National List of LGBTQ+ Friendly Colleges

By Sloan MacRae, September 17, 2024
Ranking boosts IC's strong reputation for inclusion
A rainbow appears among six fountains.

A rainbow appears among IC's Dillingham Fountains. (Photo by Allison Usavage '11)

A rainbow appears among IC's Dillingham Fountains. (Photo by Allison Usavage '11)

Ithaca College claimed the top spot on BestColleges’ list of LGTBQ+ Friendly Colleges for 2024, bolstering its strong reputation as one of nation’s most LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive campuses. The list, published last month, weighs data from the National Center for Education Statistics and self-submitted reports from more than 1,000 colleges detailing their services and resources for LGBTQ+ students.

Colleges on the list must also provide mandatory trainings and timely handling of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, support for trans and nonbinary students by correct naming and gendering in administrative systems, access to campus housing and restrooms in keeping with gender identities, and LGBTQ+ centers with full-time directors to provide programming, community spaces, and advocacy for LGBTQ+-supportive policies. BestColleges also considers academic quality, diversity and inclusion, and college affordability.

"It is a beautiful feeling to be in a place where I am free to be myself openly and truthfully with no regrets and to be surrounded by acceptance, both from the college and its students.”

Olivia Valdez ’25, Speech-Language Pathology major

The new ranking builds upon IC’s previous recognition as a national pride leader, following Campus Pride’s “Best of the Best” distinction in 2023. IC has earned a five-star rating on the Campus Pride Index every year since 2010 and was instrumental in the creation of International Pronouns Day in 2018.

“I’m thrilled to be honored as the number one college for LGBTQ+ students,” said Crissi Dalfonzo, Ithaca College’s Director of LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services. “Our founding director, Luca Maurer, laid a strong foundation of LGBTQ+ friendly policies and culture on campus that I have had the immense privilege to build on during the last year. The existing culture on campus when I arrived allowed me the latitude to begin new initiatives like the Gender Affirming Closet and our Binders and More (BAM!) program. These are tangible, meaningful programs that can improve lives and advocacy on campus and beyond.”

"These are tangible, meaningful programs that can improve lives and advocacy on campus and beyond."

Crissi Dalfonzo, Director of LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services

Students walk on a college campus.

IC strives every day to be more accessible, student-ready, inclusive, and equitable, particularly for those who have been impacted by systemic disadvantages, marginalization, and exclusion.  (Photo by Giovanni Santacroce)

IC’s Center for LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services offers a resource room to support LGBTQ+ people and their allies, the Gender Affirming Closet providing a safe space for students to try on and take gender-affirming clothing for free, Binders and More (BAM!) to offer students gender-affirming undergarments, campus-wide education programs and events, and resources to support allies. The college launched the Pride Fellowship in 2022, a two-year paid fellowship position—among the first of its kind—for recent graduates and young professionals interested in the fields of LGBTQ+ campus resource professionals, higher education, and student affairs.

IC’s commitment, emphasizes Dalfonzo, “is all about our students.”

“IC is like a haven for queer people who haven't before felt a sense of comfort or community. There are so many wonderful staff members, resources, and educational opportunities for folks to utilize. I have never been afraid to share my truth as a queer person here at Ithaca.”

Wren Krebs ’27, Writing major

“At Ithaca College, my friends and I are able to live our full identities to the fullest extent,” said Wren Krebs ’27, a Writing major. “IC is like a haven for queer people who haven't before felt a sense of comfort or community. There are so many wonderful staff members, resources, and educational opportunities for folks to utilize. I have never been afraid to share my truth as a queer person here at Ithaca.”

"It is a beautiful feeling to be in a place where I am free to be myself openly and truthfully with no regrets and to be surrounded by acceptance, both from the college and its students,” said Olivia Valdez ’25, a Speech-Language Pathology major. “I hope the same comes for all other queer students out there one day."

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