“It’s not unusual to find LGBTQ+ kids ‘out’ in the arts,” said Maureen O’Brien, M.S. ’93. “But in business? Not so much.”
O’Brien credits corporate culture for this discrepancy, noting the business world adds expectations onto students who may already diverge from societal norms.
“Because of this, students may shy away from a business major, even if they have the interest and aptitude,” she said.
O’Brien earned a master’s in accounting at Illinois State before serving as an instructional assistant professor in accounting from 1994-2015. She credits exceptional teachers-turned-colleagues for her Redbird pride.
Despite the resources already available to students pursing business degrees, O’Brien saw an opportunity to address hardships encountered at a higher rate within the LGBTQ+ community, including homelessness, lack of parental support, and an increased risk of suicide.
“According to the Trevor Project, founded in 1998, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 14 and 20 to 34, and LGBTQ+ kids are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight kids,” said O’Brien.
She established the O’Brien Family Scholarship at Illinois State to provide support for students who are active in LGBTQ+ registered student organizations (RSOs).
Ella Sharp, a senior integrated marketing communications major with a minor in mass media, is the inaugural recipient of the O’Brien Family Scholarship. The Sycamore native is involved in several RSOs, including the Student Government Association and Alpha Kappa Psi. She is the president of the Student Leadership Advisory Board for the College of Business and has been a residential assistant (RA) for the Rainbow Floor, a themed living-learning community in Manchester Hall, for three years.
“I remember how difficult it was to connect with others in the community, so I stepped up to become the RA as soon as I learned about the floor my freshman year,” she said.
O’Brien’s support allows Sharp to dedicate more time and energy to engaging with the Illinois State community and advocating for LGBTQ+ students. “I’m able to focus on my academic and extracurricular pursuits without the constant worry about finances,” said Sharp.
“Moving to a new place can make it challenging to find acceptance and build a sense of community, and college is no exception,” said Sharp. “For many queer students, the residence halls and RSOs serve as their first experiences of finding belonging on campus.”
The O’Brien Family Scholarship signals to current and prospective students that the College of Business is an open, affirming, and safe place for the LGBTQ+ community. O’Brien’s gift also inspires students like Sharp to remain active in their advocacy, on and off campus.
“Having alumni like Maureen return is particularly inspiring,” said Sharp. “I aspire to give my time and support in the same way she has, even after I leave ISU.”
