Justine Hollingshead, Director 
Ms. Justine Hollingshead was hired as the Director of the GLBT Center in January 2008 and is responsible for the overall operation. Her background includes over twenty years of success working as an administrator in Higher Education on three different college campuses across the country. She offers particular expertise in training, supervision, programming, and administration, with an in-depth working knowledge and passion of the issues facing the GLBT community.
As a professional in Higher Education Justine had the opportunity to develop training programs, advise student organizations, participate in assessment endeavors, and facilitate community outreach programs. Ms. Hollingshead earned her Bachelors degree from Slippery Rock University in Communication, her Masters degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park and has completed a ten-week comprehensive business training program with the Council for Entrepreneurial Development in North Carolina.
Justine is actively involved in the local community serving on the Board of Trustees for the LGBT Center of Raleigh and is a member of the Raleigh Business and Professional Network. As a paramedic in the state of North Carolina she has done medical service work in Haiti, was deployed to Mississippi area after Hurricane Katrina and to eastern NC after Hurricane Floyd. Justine has been an active volunteer with Cary Area EMS for over 15 years serving as a Captain and Coordinator of Special Events for the agency. In May of 2012 Justine and her partner Debbie were married and live together in their home in Morrisville NC with their cat and dog, Little Man and Tillie.
Bekah Jaeger, Assistant Director
Bekah Jaeger served as the graduate adviser to the student group from 2007-2011 and the program assistant to the GLBT Center from 2011-2012. She was hired as the assistant director in the Fall of 2012. Bekah completed her PhD in the Counselor Education program at North Carolina State University in May 2012 and her Masters in May of 2004 in the same program. Prior to her time at NC State, she studied at the State University of New York – Albany. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Psychology, with a minor in philosophy.
Her background includes working as a school counselor and preschool teacher prior to working in the center. She is very excited about continuing her professional career in the GLBT Center where her role will be to facilitate programs, participate in research opportunities and serve on varying university committees.
Julius Perkins, Program Assistant
Julius E. Perkins, a proud alumnus of Elizabeth City State University, received his Bachelor of Arts in the fall of 2010 in Music Performance, with a concentration in voice. As an ambassador for the university, Julius served as the North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) 2007- 2008 state secretary; as the premiere vocalist for the inaugural 105 National Voices of History Historically Black Colleges & Universities Concert Choir at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; and as an annual recruiter among the United States of America during spring tours. His efforts as student supervisor of the Kennis Wilkins Call Center at ECSU, established the “Class of 2008” giving campaign with contributions reaching the remarkable financial goal of $26,000.00.
In February of 2011, Julius traveled to PyeongnaeHopyeong, South Korea where he served as the primary foreign English teacher at Jangnae Elementary School for grades two through six. His unique teaching method and technique produced an enormous growth in grammatical structure, reading comprehension, and casual dialogue expression with over 900 students. Beyond the classroom, his involvement with the inclusive outreach ministry Open Door Community Church created avenues for GLBT-Q HIV testing, strategic planning for transgender equality, and various resources and social outlets for the “unnoticed” community. In addition to his proven success as an innovator, Julius was selected to facilitate the first English cooking workshop at the Star Light Resort English Camp, and was named Director of Children’s Choir at Pyeongnae Presbyterian Church.
Julius, a native of Greenville, North Carolina is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Julius R. Perkins. In his spare time he enjoys time shared with six siblings, traveling abroad, and singing. Julius lives with partner of six years, Mr. Ronald Pugh. Both enjoy living in Raleigh, NC and spoiling their schnauzer, Zooey.
Adam Ward, Graduate Advisor
Adam Ward is a M.Sc. student in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences program at North Carolina State University, with a concentration in cell biology. His research focus is on molecular oncology and mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Adam obtained his B.S in Environmental Science from North Carolina State University, where he also served as an undergraduate researcher, and co-chair of the program committee for the GLBT-CommUnity Alliance student organization.
Adam is currently the Graduate Assistant to the GLBT Center, and advisor to the GLBT CommUnity Alliance organization, where he serves to train student leaders, assist with group programming, and coordinate functions with other groups both on and off campus. He is excited to have this position while undertaking graduate studies, and to be continually involved in the GLBT community at NC State. He hopes to work towards a more positive and inclusive campus climate.
Leslie Forrest, Intern
Leslie is currently working on her masters degree in the Social Work Department.
Advisory Board Members
Dr. Bill Swallow, Chairperson
Ms. Justine Hollingshead, GLBT Center Director
Deb Luckadoo, OIED – Staff Diversity
Jose Picart, DASA – Vice Provost Academic Programs and Services
Rebekah Jaeger, GLBT Center – Assistant Director
Adam Ward, GLBT Center – Graduate Assistant
Sam Morris, Graduate Student – Statistics Department
Dan Solomon, PAMS – Dean
Richard Tyler, Counseling Center – Staff Counselor
Ken Johnson, Scholars Program – Assistant Director
Madeline Goss, Community Member – Alumni
Tony Caravano, Community Member – Alumni
Dani Lechner, Undergraduate Student – SCBOD Representative
Faculty position, VACANT
Thank you to Dr. Jessica Moore and Ms. Caitlin Cohn for their dedicated service during the 2011-2012 academic year to the GLBT Center Advisory Board.
