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Meet Our Staff

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are free to contact whomever they would like in our office and ask to meet regarding issues of gender and sexuality, based on job responsibilities, background, or personal interests. If for whatever reason you are not comfortable meeting at the K.C. Potter Center, staff members are happy to meet in other campus locations. You can contact our general office by emailing lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu. We look forward to meeting you!

Hannah Jones, PhD | Director

Pronouns: she/they

Hannah Jones joins the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life from Corning Community College, bringing an extensive background in youth development, sexuality and social justice education. Jones received their master’s in social justice and education from St. John’s University and a Ph.D. in social justice education from Lancaster University. She combines her professional and educational skills with her passion for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Hannah Jones has been with ×ÔοÊÓƵ University as the Director of the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life since June 2024.

Lizzie Smith, PhD | Assistant Director

Pronouns: she/they

Before coming to ×ÔοÊÓƵ, Lizzie Smith was the director of the Safe Zone Resource Center at the University of Alabama. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama and specializes in LGBTQIA+ student support services. Prior to the completion of their PhD, Lizzie earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s of English at the University of Central Arkansas. In her spare time. Lizzie enjoys video games with a cat or dog on her lap and weightlifting.

Lizzie Smith has been with ×ÔοÊÓƵ University as the Assistant Director of the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life since December 2023.

Josefine Parker, MDiv | Program Coordinator for Gender Diversity

Pronouns: she/they

As Program Coordinator for Gender Diversity, Josefine serves as a primary point of contact to support trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse ×ÔοÊÓƵ University community members. After completing her BA in American Studies from The University of Maryland, College Park, she received her Master of Divinity from ×ÔοÊÓƵ Divinity School and One CPE Unit, Level 1 from ×ÔοÊÓƵ University Medical Center in 2023. As a white, Slavic-American trans woman who is disabled with an autoimmune spectrum illness, Josefine is committed to naming and honoring intertwined physical, emotional, spiritual, and philosophic aspects of gender transition. Immersed in trans communities since 2007, she began work providing gender affirming surgery caregiving as a transition doula through the organization T4T Caregiving in 2018. From Parkville, Maryland, Josefine has lived in Middle Tennessee since 2014.

Josefine Parker originally started their journey at ×ÔοÊÓƵ University in August 2020 as Graduate Student in the ×ÔοÊÓƵ Divinity School. Josefine started their affiliation with the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life as a Chaplin Intern while a student at ×ÔοÊÓƵ Divinity School. In September 2023, Josefine accepted a position as a Program Coordinator for Gender Diversity in the Office of Health and Wellness at ×ÔοÊÓƵ. In July 2024, Josefine’s position functionally moved from the Office of Health and Wellness to the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life.

Kaadia Montgomery, MS | Program Coordinator for BIPOC

Pronouns: she/her

Kaadia Montgomery is originally from Memphis, TN. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Sciences. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Counseling at the University of Memphis. Kaadia is a collaborative team player, always striving for excellence and continuously seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Hailing from an education background working primarily with advocacy and empowerment programming; her professional interests lie in the intersection of communication, social justice, and what she is most passionate about, human development. Outside of work, you can find her crafting, out at a concert or traveling with friends.

Kaadia Montgomery is the newest member of our team and has been with ×ÔοÊÓƵ University as the Program Coordinator for BIPOC in the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life since October 2024.

Kyle Ganues | Administrative Assistant

Pronouns: he/him

A middle Tennessee native, Kyle joined the ×ÔοÊÓƵ University community in February 2022. Kyle graduated from Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee.ÌýPrior to joining ×ÔοÊÓƵ, Kyle held various administrative roles across higher education. He deeply believes there is nothing more important than making someone feel like they have a place they belong.ÌýHe has a wide range of interests and loves to learn “random” facts.ÌýKyle enjoys spending time outside, listening to Billy Joel, and playing video games. He is still trying to complete his childhood dream to “catch ’emÌýall.”

Kyle Ganues has been with ×ÔοÊÓƵ University as the Administrative Assistant of the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life since September 2022.

Jacob Soto | Graduate Assistant

Pronouns: he/him

My name is Jacob Soto, and I am the Graduate Assistant for the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI. I am excited to contribute to LGBTQ+ diversity and enhance representation on ×ÔοÊÓƵ’s campus through the exceptional work of the K.C. Potter. Currently, I am a second-year student in the Master of Education program for International Education Policy & Management, with a regional focus on Southeast Asia. I hold a Bachelor of Economics and History from the University of Florida, where I concentrated on colonial history and international development.

One of my greatest passions is traveling and exploring diverse cuisines from around the world, some of my favorite things to eat are Xiao Long Baos, Bun Bo Hue, Empanadas, and Donner. Last summer, I had the opportunity to backpack through Southeast Asia, visiting six countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore.

I look forward to engaging with the community at the center and meeting many of you around campus.

Jacob Soto has been with ×ÔοÊÓƵ University since August 2023 as a Graduate Student. Jacob has been with the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI as their Graduate Assistant since August 2024.

Please contact our staff at lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu.

Last Updated: 8 October 2024