Safe/brave spaces: admission decisions and LGBTQ+ graduate student’s perceptions of surrounding community and campus climate

Abstract

This study seeks to add more information to the academic literature on how graduate students, especially LGBTQ+ graduate students, navigate on or off campus while choosing which institution to attend. This exploratory qualitative study sought to explore the question of whether campus and community climate plays a role in those identifying as LGBTQ+ when determining where they intend to attend graduate school. Using queer theory as a lens, an exploratory survey was conducted that purposively oversampled graduate students who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The survey results were used to hone semi-structured qualitative interview questions, and the survey was also how interview participants were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten graduate students at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: discovering a sense of belonging as part of the graduate school choice process, safe/brave spaces as a state of mind, and the importance of departmental and program microclimates. The themes will be discussed, as well as implications for practice and future research. The hope is that this study will add to the literature providing higher education institutions recommendations on ways to improve on-campus and off-campus communities to promote inclusivity.