nicci port

nicci port (she | they) serves as Program Director for Gender & Sexual Diversity Initiatives.

For the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, nicci directs the Inclusion Initiatives Grant Program, University Award for Inclusive Excellence, Martin Luther King, Jr. Advancing One Community Awards, Inclusion@IowaState, and serves as the point person for Faculty and Staff Associations.  Additionally, nicci is the division's primary contact for work around gender and sexual diversity (GSD) and topics that are important to the LGBTQ+ community.

GSD initiatives nicci is currently advancing are the expansion of gender-inclusive housing in the Department of Residence; administration of the Big 12 Violence and Discrimination Awareness and Prevention fund at ISU; advancement of healthcare in Ames for people who are transgender; connections to and between LGBTQ-affirming groups on campus; relationships with LGBTQ-affirming organizations in Iowa; and outreach to/committee service for efforts that center the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.  Next up is the launch of GSD@ISU (reimagining safe zone training on campus) and continued work with anyone interested in the mantra:

Find Your Motivation  |  Decide to Act  |  Collaborate  |  Focus on Positive Change  |  Assume Goodwill

nicci joined the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion after 15 years at Iowa State and is known as a creative and connective problem-solver who brings people together to address matters that are important to the Iowa State community. Prior to working in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, nicci was active in equity efforts on campus through founding, chairing, and/or advising numerous LGBTQ-affirming groups, co-founding ISU’s Faculty and Staff Association Council, and organizing the participation of underrepresented faculty, staff and students in campus-wide initiatives such as ISU’s reaccreditation process, the creation and selection of ISU’s first Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and the authoring of our university’s 2017-22 strategic plan.

nicci earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa and attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, studying Counseling and Student Personnel - College Student Affairs. nicci was born and raised in Iowa and is a fan of movies, live music, scooter riding and Iowa State athletics.

#LetsGetToWork  #CyPride