Paulette Curkin, student development coordinator for Southern Illinois University, is the recipient of the ISBA Community Leadership Award that will be presented this month by the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI).

Curkin has been adviser to the Saluki Rainbow Network, the undergraduate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) group, since 1987, and she was a founder of the Triangle Coalition of SIU faculty, staff and graduate students in 1994.

Her subsequent suggestion that a GLBT Resource Center be established at SIU resulted in a successful task force study, and she has been its coordinator for the past five months.

Before being appointed to her current position in 1998, she was housing programming coordinator for nine years. She has a master's degree in higher education from SIU.

Curkin received the 2002 Lindell W. Sturgis Memorial Public Service Award from the SIU board of trustees, and the Administrative and Professional Staff Outstanding Service Award for 2005-06.

“There is no issue facing the GLBT community that Paulette does not deal with,” said her nominators, Carbondale attorney Tammy Shults, a member of the SOGI committee, and Carmen Suarez, director of the SIU Office of Diversity and Equity.

They cited her efforts in housing access, domestic partner benefits, same-sex marriage, second-parent adoption, the coming-out process, teaching about transgender issues, and types of covert and overt daily and systemic discrimination.

“She names the issues, provides comprehensive articulation and action strategies, and stays engaged at all levels of the battle for equity and civil rights,” they added.

Among Curkin's contributions was developing and seeking endowment of an undergraduate scholarship fund for GLBT students. She has presented “Beyond Tolerance” workshops on homophobia locally and on the road for the American College Personnel Association.

A member of the Carbondale Women's Center Board for several years, Curkin is active in the American Cancer Society and a leader in the Jackson County Relay for Life. She also serves on the city Liquor Advisory Board.

Her nomination for the SOGI award was supported by John M. Dunn, SIU's provost and vice chancellor, who praised her participation in his ad hoc committee on GLBT issues.

Curkin “was instrumental in enlightening the committee on issues related to sexual orientation in a manner that was respectful of the views of others,” he said. “Her demeanor set a high standard in how to be inclusive, thoughtful and considerate in analyzing and responding to the views of others.”

The award will be presented at a luncheon Friday, June 22, during the ISBA Annual Meeting at The Abbey Resort.