Jean Orr (M.S.Ed, 2008) is the 2018 recipient of the Indiana University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender + Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award. The award was presented at a reception on January 26. She was recognized at the 5th annual PRIDE night with IU Women’s Basketball on Thursday, February 8.

Orr currently serves as Assistant Director of Inclusion at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis and has been a pivotal leader in the organization’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in college athletics. As a graduate student at IU, Orr helped promote awareness of LGBTQ student-athletes as part of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

“I can’t express enough how life-changing my time at IU was,” said Orr. “I didn’t have many LGBTQ role models and allies until I came to HESA and met Danielle DeSawal. She created a culture of care and created opportunities for me to explore my identity and to engage in thoughtful and engaging scholarly conversations.”

Orr received her Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) in 2008 and is currently finishing up her Ed.D. in Higher Education. The topic of her dissertation is a qualitative study of professionally disclosed lesbian, gay, and bisexual college coaches and how being out impacts their ability to coach. Her academic advisor is Robin Hughes.