University of Southern Indiana professors will lead a Safe Zone Workshop for USI faculty and staff from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 25, in Carter Hall in the University Center.

The purpose of the training is to learn about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) topics and terminology, receive resources and referral information, and learn the necessary skills needed to be an ally for the LGBT community.

Dr. Amie McKibban, assistant professor of psychology, will conduct the workshop with assistance from Dr. Amy Montz, assistant professor of English.

“We have been working to fully implement a community Safe Zone program here at USI and in the Tri-State area since the fall semester of 2010,” McKibban said. “The program has already shown success.”

McKibban has partnered with Tri State Alliance to offer Safe Zone ally trainings to Tri-state area community members. “To date, the community of Evansville has 112 trained student allies, 45 USI faculty, staff, and administrative allies, and 89 community allies,” she said.

“Currently, I am working collaboratively to try and offer community-wide trainings, as well as working to create partnerships with the EVSC schools."

The faculty and staff training will focus on the LGBT topics listed above, but also will be tailored to the unique needs of faculty and staff (for example, creating all-inclusive curricula).

The free training is sponsored by the Office of the Provost. Breakfast will be served. To register, go to http://www.usi.edu/opra/Surveys/safezone12.htm.

For more information, contact McKibban at 812/465-1222 or armckibban@usi.edu.