Advancing Inclusivity for Students with LGBTQ Identities through School-Based Approaches

Leigh E. Szucs, PhD, CHES 
Health Scientist | Research Application and Evaluation Branch
Division of Adolescent and School Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Leigh is a Health Scientist in the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) at the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her research focuses on implementation and evaluation of school-based health education programming, specifically sexuality education which provides functional knowledge and skills to support healthy behaviors and prevent STIs, including HIV, and unintended pregnancy among youth. Through this portfolio of work, Leigh also provides technical and capacity building assistance to school districts using evidence-informed strategies to address health outcomes and protective factors enhancing the social, emotional, and learning needs of youth. Leigh earned a Master of Education in Health Education at Texas State University and PhD in Health Education at Texas A&M University. For more information about CDC DASH’s work within health and sexual health education – check out the website: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/

Nick Suarez, MPH
Health Scientist
Division of Adolescent and School Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Nick Suarez, MPH is a Health Scientist in CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) where he works on program evaluation of DASH's funding to support school districts and applied research projects to promote health equity among LGBTQ+ youth in particular. His research interests are in school-based strategies to support transgender and gender non-conforming youth, intersectional approaches to inclusivity practices, and strategies to foster acceptance and support among parents of LGBTQ+ youth. He earned his MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

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