What We Give and What it Takes: Authenticity, Coming Out and a Graduate Student Experience

As a genderqueer person growing up in Johnstown, New York to a large Greek American family, Dr. Hannahs ’09 G’11 personal and professional journey can best be described in one word, untraditional. Insight and experience gained from the untraditional journey inform LB’s approach to the role of President of Tangible Development. Using a blend of scholarship as a researcher, and practical, hands-on experience as a diversity educator and higher education administrator, LB is a bridge builder and problem solver with expertise in organizational transformation. A skilled speaker and educator, LB has a featured TedTalk and was part of Starbucks’ Third Place Speaker Series in 2018.

Dr. Hannahs, an alum of and previous Grad Assistant in the LGTBQ+ office at Syracuse University, will talk about how graduate school demands a lot of us. Staying authentic to who we are can be demanding and at times impossible. Dr. LB Hannahs will share their experiences as a graduate student and the journey to stay authentic as a Queer and Trans person, a parent, a working professional, and a student.

A short reception will be held in the Lyman Hall Lobby immediately following the talk with light refreshments.