Genspect American College Survey: Volume 5

After months of diligent work and feedback from our community, we’re thrilled to release the fifth and final volume of the Genspect American College Survey. This volume completes our journey across the United States, including comprehensive assessments of universities from the remaining states: California, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C. Given the depth of detail required for larger states like California and New York, this final installment arrives a week later than planned, but we hope the insights it contains are worth the wait. In total, Volume 5 spans 50 pages of fresh evaluations and notes, marking our longest volume to date.

Reflecting on Our Journey

This project has been both challenging and rewarding, revealing a wide spectrum of transgender issues and activism across the American higher education landscape. Throughout our volumes, we have worked to present a balanced, nuanced perspective on each institution’s engagement with gender identity topics, aiming to give families and students alike a sense of the climate they might encounter.

From day one, our mission has been to empower parents and families of gender-distressed youth by providing clear, up-to-date, and relevant information on how colleges approach transgender support. Through our survey, we’ve aimed to bridge the information gap so that families can make informed decisions that align with their values and needs. Your constructive feedback has helped shape this work, and we’re grateful to all who have contributed by sharing their thoughts and insights.

Looking to the Future

While this final volume marks the end of the immediate series, our work is far from over. Based on feedback from our readers, we’re already considering revisions and improvements for a Second Edition that will incorporate an enhanced rating system. The proposed five-tier scale, from “Negative” to “Strong,” will provide a more nuanced snapshot of each institution’s approach, giving families even more clarity on the varying levels of influence that transgender issues hold at each college.

We’ve also taken note of requests for more streamlined information. As the survey expanded, our notes occasionally grew lengthy, making the spreadsheet format feel restrictive. In the next edition, we’re exploring more accessible formats that retain our depth of analysis without overwhelming the reader.

Additionally, we’re planning expansions beyond our initial scope, exploring evaluations of community colleges as well as schools in Canada, the UK, and beyond. This will be a gradual process, but we’re excited to broaden our reach and provide families with a more global perspective.

In Closing

Volume 5 may be the last installment for now, but we view it as just one chapter in an ongoing mission. We’ll continue to gather insights, listen to your feedback, and work to keep this survey as relevant and helpful as possible. Thank you for your support, engagement, and trust. Your involvement has been essential to this project’s success, and we look forward to embarking on the next phase with you.

Download Volume 5 below and find all previous volumes here. Please feel free to leave your comments and reflections, either in the comments section or using our feedback form — your voice is a crucial part of our journey forward.