About the LGBT Center
Our Services
- Advocacy on behalf of LGBTQIA+ students
- Trainings and workshops for faculty, staff, or student groups
- Programming & events that reflect the diversity of Tufts students
- Follow Our Instagram
- Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
- Free safer sex products (condoms, dental dams, lubricant, etc.)
- Gender Affirmation Closet (for trans, nonbinary, and gender-questioning students)
- Identity-based groups for various student populations
- Referrals to Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS)
- A relaxed space to hang out, study, and meet LGBTQIA+ people and allies!
Drop by the Center and enjoy a comfortable and safe space dedicated to supporting and celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and all other gender and sexual identities!
Meet Our Staff
Hope Freeman
Senior Director
Pronouns: She/Her
A Boston native, Hope is a graduate of Smith College where she obtained a degree in Africana Studies and holds a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Simmons College School of Management. For nearly a decade, Hope has committed her career to empowering and advocating on behalf of LGBTQ adults and youth, particularly LGBTQ youth of color. From HIV counseling and testing, helping youth develop leadership skills, to providing LGBTQ cultural competency training and education to youth serving agencies and community organizations; Hope has an extensive array of experience ensuring youth are not only able to access quality and necessary care, but are equipped with the tools needed to thrive, strive, and succeed.
joel gutierrez
Associate Director
Pronouns: any pronouns
Born and raised in Los Angeles County, joel graduated from UC Davis with degrees in American Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. Prior to coming to Tufts, joel’s experience included working in the UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center and co-founding an LGBTQ+ Youth Group in Davis, CA. Her passion lies with supporting young queer and trans folks as they shape their identities, goals, and aspirations, recognizing that this time is often a major transformational period for our communities. joel’s work is fueled by queer joy – he intentionally brings vibrant colors and noise into his work and prioritizes laughter and joy. Beyond their work at the LGBT Center, you’ll often find joel watching Charmed, eating anything chocolate, and spending hours on makeup and nail art.
Mondonna Mojahed
Program Coordinator
Pronouns: she/they
Originally from Arlington Mass, Mondonna graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a dual degree in Microbiology and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Much of Mondonna's work focuses on viewing the sciences through an interdisciplinary feminist lens and has evolved to explore the stories that are told through Science and Whiteness. Prior to coming to Tufts, Mondonna was an intern and eventual committee member of the IDEAA committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability in Action) at the Cambridge Women's Center located in Central Square, and was heavily involved in student support services and orgs at Umass, including being the President of the Iranian Student Association. Mondonna is motivated by the possibilities for a liberated future and to build that with students. Beyond work, she enjoys watching cat videos, reading, and going for long walks.
Shaquille Jones
Administrative Coordinator
Born and raised in Boston, MA, Shaq graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Clinical Psychology and Social Work, with a focus on LGBTQ Child Homelessness.
Before coming to Tufts, Shaq’s experience included supporting individuals with severe mental health disorders who identify as both queer and people of color, even serving as a coordinator and consultant for Boston Public Schools around LGBTQ student policies and resources. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University.
A trauma-informed approach fuels Shaq’s work – he intentionally strives to create a sense of safety and acceptance in every space he inhabits. He firmly believes that the collective voice is strong enough to bring about change in the world.
Beyond their work at the LGBT and Women’s Center, you’ll often find Shaq watching Charmed, experimenting with baking delicious sweets, and exploring historical sites here and abroad.
Stefan Jadaszewski, PhD
Counseling and Mental Health Service (CMHS) Liaison
Pronouns: he/him/his
The CMHS Liaison Program is designed to educate students, faculty, and staff about the range of services that CMHS provides, to help students access the support and resources that they need, and to make CMHS services as accessible as possible to all populations. To learn more, please email Stefan, or refer to the CMHS Website.