ABSTRACT
DePauw and Cross collaborated in this chapter as a chronological account of DePauw's academic experiences and transitioning to an out and open queer identified person that started teaching by working with students with disabilities. DePauw describes previous and current challenges as a queer administrator at large research-intensive institutions. Her takeaway message is that it is ok to not fit in, embracing your otherness can position you to be an effective change agent as you learn to leverage your sphere of influence. Cross and DePauw dialogue about how the Transformative Graduate Education (TGE) initiatives shaped Cross' academic career and gave her courage to take a leadership role in academia including being the lead editor for this book.
