Kaitlyn Michaelson, WSC senior, has been chosen as the recipient of this year’s Ron Holt Civic Engagement Award.
The Ron Holt Civic Engagement Award is presented to a WSC senior who has served as an outstanding role model and contributed greatly to the campus or wider community during their time at WSC. Students applying for the award must provide information regarding their participation in service and leadership activities, as well as a service-learning project. To recieve this award, a student must display exemplary leadership qualities and service to their community, demonstrating their commitment and dedication to their work.
Kaitlyn Michaelson, a human services counseling major with minors in music and sociology, said she has always had an instinct to help others. In her hometown of Lincoln, she began to recognize this calling.
“I’ve always had a big heart,” Michaelson said. “As I grew up, I met a lot of people who didn’t have the same opportunities I did. I felt for them, and wanted to find a way to help them.”
Coming to college, Michaelson was specifically interested in advocating for and leading safe spaces within the LGBTQIA+ community. Serving as the 2024-2025 PRIDE club president, Michaelson has supported queer students and provided them with a welcoming and supportive environment. During PRIDE club meetings, students inside and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community are invited to meet new people, talk about their lives, and enjoy the company of others in a positive and safe space. Michaelson officiates this space, upholding the club’s mission to provide kindness and support to all WSC students.
“This role has been especially rewarding to me,” Michaelson said. “I know how it feels to not know how welcoming the campus will be regarding your identity, and I wanted to help students feel they have at least one safe space on campus.”
While Michaelson has diligently worked to support the queer community in Wayne, she has also given her service and support to the community in Lincoln.
“I helped start a faith-based LGBTQIA+ advocacy group in Lincoln,” Michaelson said. “We have been brainstorming ways to help members of the community who have been harmed by churches in the past.”
FaithAllyance has hosted safe and engaging events in Lincoln like a listening session, where community members in Lincoln came in and were free to discuss past church experiences. In this space, Michaelson and her colleagues are able to provide crucial support to anyone struggling with faith and their identity. This is just another example of how Michaelson has committed to supporting the queer community.
Ron Holt, creator of the Ron Holt Civic Engagement award, is also an example of a passionate leader in the queer world, one that Michaelson looks up to greatly.
“Ron Holt is my biggest role model regarding advocacy work for the LGBTQIA+ community,” Michaelson said. “Hearing about his story and work has inspired me to broaden the scope of my advocacy work for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Holt spends his time traveling the country providing transformational education and mentoring to help people lead happy, authentic lives. He advocates for diversity and inclusion, highlighting how important it is to create safe and welcoming spaces for the queer community, just like what Michaelson has done during her time at WSC.
After graduation in May, where she will be recognized for the award, Michaelson plans to move back to Lincoln. There, she will continue to grow FaithAllyance.
“We have a lot of ideas,” Michaelson said. “I am very excited to be part of this work.”
Michaelson also hopes to spend time volunteering with Star City Pride, the LGBTQIA+ non-profit that hosts the annual pride parade and festival in Lincoln each June.
The Ron Holt Civic Engagement Award is presented to an individual who has significantly contributed to the service ethos of a campus or community. The individual chosen to be the recipient undoubtedly has left a mark on their community.
“I hope the mark I have made is PRIDE club being a safe space for LGBTQIA+ persons and allies to the community,” Michaelson said. “I hope that all LGBTQIA+ students at Wayne feel they are seen by our club, regardless of if they are a member or not.”
For more information about PRIDE club meetings and events, contact kamich02@wsc.edu or rebrow02@wsc.edu. PRIDE club can also be found on Instagram @wscprideclub.
