Caren Holmes
Staff Writer
Melissa Chesanko, director of sexuality and gender inclusion, and Steve Cisneros, visiting instructor of psychology, are collaborating to develop a weekly support group for self-identifying trans and non-binary students. Chesanko said that the initiative emerged in response to student interest expressed in conversations she has had with groups and individuals.
It has developed into a priority for the Office of Sexuality and Gender Inclusion, seeking to provide additional services and recourses for trans-and non-binary-identifying students at Wooster.
Cisneros suggested that, “The College of Wooster is in a unique moment in time where this sort of group is actually possible given the critical mass of students, need and staffing capacity/training.”
The group, Chesanko says, will operate as a safe space, designed to provide social support for trans and non-binary students. While Chesanko and Cisneros are both experienced clinicians, their initiative is not designed specifically to provide “group therapy.” Rather, the group will be a place for students to share and discuss their experiences.
Prior to working at Wooster, Cisneros completed a clinical internship and worked to facilitate a trans support group at the Veterans Affairs office in Cleveland. Experience has largely inspired and informed the development of the Wooster support group initiative. Chesanko explains that the group will provide a space for, “peers with similar circumstances to come together in a structured setting to share, learn and grow.”
Chesanko and Cisneros will act as facilitators in structured weekly dialogues. As Chesanko explains, “our role is to ensure that the space stays open, safe, voluntary, constructive, productive and that we give everyone a chance to share by creating a facilitated flow of discussion each week.”
Chesanko emphasized the importance of forming communities of students with shared experiences, who might otherwise feel isolated or stigmatized, recognizing that many students may be unaware of the presence of other trans and non-binary peers on their campus.
The group is scheduled to start the week of Nov. 7. Cisneros hopes that participants will commit to at least one three-month interval.
Self-identified trans and non-binary students interested in participating in the group are encouraged to reach out by email to Melissa Chesanko (MChesanko@wooster.edu) or Steve Cisneros (SCisneros@wooster.edu).