Introducing Eugene Riordan: Graduate Student Assistant for RCSGD

The Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (RCSGD) at UC Santa Barbara facilitates the intersectional inclusion and representation of the identities, experiences, and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. RCSGD staff and volunteers, in collaboration with campus partners, promote the celebration, development, scholarship, and success of the LGBTQIA+ community through advocacy, education, programming, and resource creation and referral.

The RCSGD uses intersectional and social justice lenses to work toward trans justice, queer justice, racial justice, and other forms of justice by examining and combating oppressive systems, including white supremacy, heterosexism, misogyny, patriarchy, and xenophobia.

​​​​EUGENE'S STORY (Pronouns: he.him.his) I'm a second-year doctoral student in the Global Studies Department, and chose to get involved with the RCSGD because of my commitment to supporting a resilient and vibrant queer and trans graduate community at UCSB. I received my B.A. from Colgate University with a double major in Peace & Conflict Studies and International Relations. On my way to the West Coast, I focused on education in various contexts: as an ESL teacher in Thailand, using LEGO to teach engineering to elementary-aged students in after-school and summer camp programs, and on the dance floor for adults as a Ballroom and Latin Dance teacher. Originally from Montana, I've completely acclimated to the beach climate and have far too many plants on my patio (though I actively look for more).

HIS ​ROLE AS A ​GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANT At the RCSGD, my role is to support queer and trans graduate students in all phases of their education, advocate for and with them within UCSB structures, and partner with other campus groups to help queer and trans graduate students develop socially and professionally. My time is split between holding office hours and studying at the RCSGD, attending meetings, and putting on events around campus. I am also on the board for the RCSGD's Mentorship Program, to pair undergraduate students to staff, faculty, and graduate students for a meaningful and generative mentoring experience, as well as for the Queer and Trans Graduate Student Union, a student group specifically for LGBTQIA+ graduate students. If you are a queer, questioning, or trans graduate student, get in touch with me to plan specific events, address concerns in your department, or have a gab session about animal facts.

Welcome, ​​​Eugene!