Genevieve Flores Brings Together LGBT Communities
Between a full load of classes and late night Campus Cruiser shifts, Genevieve Flores, a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in gender studies, still finds time to make USC's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Assembly (GLBTA) a stronger presence on campus.
This fall, Flores took over as executive director of the GLBTA and began overseeing all major events for the LGBT undergraduate community.
"Since she's been in charge we have seen nothing but a dedication to and execution of events," says Vincent Vigil, director of the USC Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center. "She's been able to increase the visibility for the community and also increase the number of people who are coming to our events."
As GLBTA executive director, the Oxnard native has put together several successful events including a Welcome Back BBQ and Welcome Back 'Neon' Mixer and Dance Party, that each attracted more than 250 attendees.
Flores said the best part of working as executive director is the feedback she receives from the students who attend. "It's crazy to see the idea that I had come to fruition and students enjoying themselves," she said. "It's definitely rewarding to hear students say the event was awesome."
Flores is also spearheading an effort to bring LGBT organizations from different universities together, including UCLA, Occidental College, Whittier College, and California State University, Los Angeles.
"She's really doing a good job of saying, 'Hey, we should all try to come together and get to know each other,' " Vigil says.
In addition Flores is working to create USC's first LGBT Latino organization. Vigil believes that Flores's dual identity — as a member of both the LGBT and Latino communities — brings a different tone and leadership to the executive director position.
"Whether it's being a person of color, or whether it's being religious, or an international student — she's conscientious of the fact that there are different identities our students have within the community," he says.
When Flores graduates she hopes to apply her leadership skills to another worthwhile endeavor —Teach for America. Her mother is a teacher-turned high school counselor, and her father sits on the Ventura County Board of Education.
"Education's a big deal in my family," Flores says. "Growing up we were taught to give back, so I figure the best way I can give back is to be a teacher."