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Jody Cofer, Immediate Past Chairperson
Benton
Jody Cofer, Program Specialist for Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) at Murray State University (MSU), coordinates the statewide program titled Posters-at-the-Capitol that showcases over one hundred and fifteen faculty-mentored research projects performed by undergraduate college students to members of the Kentucky General Assembly, manages MSU’s annual Scholars Week celebration, facilitates the production of Chrysalis: The MSU Journal for Undergraduate Research, and administers the Research Scholar Fellowship and URSA Grant programs. He also serves ex-officio on the URSA Advisory Board, University Distinguished Mentor Award Committee, Research Policy Committee, and Committee for Faculty Professional Development.
In July, 2008, he was designated as MSU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Liaison and is a member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals. He serves as the faculty/staff advisor for MSU Alliance, the gay-straight student organization, and recently was asked to be a member of the inaugural member of the MSU Commission on Diversity and Inclusion by President Randy J. Dunn. Jody has been with MSU since the fall of 2001.
Aside from his many responsibilities at MSU, he is an engaged activist primarily focusing his efforts on civil rights and liberties. He volunteers with the Kentucky Fairness Alliance and the Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation. He serves on the Board of Directors for Kentucky Fairness Alliance and is a former chairperson of that Board. He is chairperson of the Meetings Committee of the Equality Federation, the national organization that is a vehicle for statewide groups to network and address lgbt advocacy issues advancing progressive public policy. As chairperson of the Meetings Committee, Jody was responsible for leading planning efforts for the 2009 Summer Meeting of statewide LGBT leaders from across the country, which was in St. Louis, MO July 29 – Aug. 2, 2009. During the 2009 Summer Meeting, Jody was elected to the Board of Directors for the Equality Federation. In June of 2009, Jody was an invited panelist for “A Fair Future for Kentucky.” Organized by the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, that event was the first state-agency called public hearing on sexual orientation and gender identity in Kentucky. His remarks specifically focused on gender identity and expression.
Jody was the founding chairperson of the Marshall County Commission for the Arts and a former Board member of the Kentucky Alliance for Arts Education. Jody was nominated in 2007 for a Murray State University Staff Excellence Award. In April of 2008, he was named the Ally of the Year by the MSU Alliance. In 2009 through the LGBT Movement Advancement Project (MAP), Jody completed three Harvard ManageMentor Certificate Programs: Personal Management Skills, People Management Skills, and Leadership Skills.
In his spare time, he enjoys travel, regular swimming, spending time with friends, and his involvement in performing and visual arts. He currently resides in Benton, KY.
The Ampersand symbolizes the solidarity we are building through Friends & Family, and suggests the inclusiveness we are working toward. It reflects the idea that no one individual, legislator, organization, or city can carry all the water for equality. Our success lies in our solidarity.
