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Gender + Equality Center Staff

Meet The Team

Erin Simpson

She, Her, Hers

Director, OU Advocates Coordinator, Assistant Dean of Students

Erin Simpson is a scholar-practitioner in Student Affairs specializing in equity and inclusion, curricular approaches to learning, and queer leadership in higher education. Prior to joining the Gender + Equality Center in 2018, Erin spent many years working in Residence Life here at OU. She has been honored on campus with the Women’s and Gender Studies Robert D. Lemon Social Justice Staff Award, the Regent’s Distinguished Performance Award, and several accolades from student organizations.

Erin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs, a Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies, and is a doctoral candidate in the Adult and Higher Education department all here at the University of Oklahoma.

In her free time, Erin enjoys her friends and family and specializes in Aunt-ing her 11 nieces and nephews as if it was a competitive sport. She is an avid reader and lover of TV, is often unsettled by how accurate enneagram memes are.

 


 

Ann Schafer

She, Her, Hers 

Associate Director of Education + Outreach

Ann Schafer is a long time Student Affairs professional at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to this role, she served in various capacities within the department of Housing & Residence Life. While in Housing, she engaged in curriculum development, inclusive process change, and supporting students individually. 

Ann received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from East Carolina University and her M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma. She is also working on her Ph.D. in Adult and Higher Education. Her research interests include gender-based violence, social media, and women’s experiences on dating apps. 

In her free time, Ann enjoys rewatching episodes of Law & Order: SVU and Criminal Minds, hanging out with her dog, and baking cake pops for her friends.

 


 

Amber May

She, Her, Hers

Assistant Director for OU Advocates

Amber May is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in victims’ advocacy, social work in healthcare, case management, and therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from East Central University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and is currently enrolled in the Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate at OU.

Amber is a first-generation Okie who loves this state and is dedicated to improving it. She is married to her high school sweetheart with whom she raises their teenage niece. The couple’s adult daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter are a huge part of their lives. Amber enjoys researching random things, walking her dog, spending time with her family, and watching the miraculous inventions of streaming services. Good coffee and dark chocolate make her happy.

 


 

Quan Phan

He, Him, His

Program Coordinator + Advisor, 
LGBTQ+ Programs

 

Quan Phan joins the Gender + Equality Center in 2020 as the LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator. He has been a long-term supporter of the Gender + Equality Center and involved in multiple capacities in the past: as an undergraduate intern to a practicum graduate student. In his role of the LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator & Advisor, Quan advises the LGBTQ+ Student Alliance, the LGBTQ+ Program Advisory Board and the LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program.

He is an international person from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Quan has his B.A. in Human Relations, his M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education, and he is a doctoral candidate in Adult and Higher Education. As a scholar-practitioner in the field of student affairs, he focuses his work and study on student success, curricular approach, as well as social justice education. 

 


 

Jerry Lessley

He, His, Him

Education + Outreach Coordinator

Jerry Lessley is one of the Gender + Equality Center's two Education + Outreach Coordinators. In this role, he shares the responsibilities of facilitating the GEC's portfolio of educational workshops and advising a team of undergraduate students who provide gender-based violence prevention training to their peers.

He is a self-described nerd with a BA in Economics, and a BS in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

Before joining our full-time staff, Jerry has been involved at the GEC in various capacities as a student since 2015. His passion and skills lie in community building, and although his previous work has been primarily focused on LGBTQ+ Programs, he's excited to work alongside the GEC staff and campus partners in new ways to continue to build a safer, more inclusive campus community.

Jerry's hobbies include, but are not limited to, quoting Broadway musicals, rewatching The Devil Wears Prada, and finding new hobbies. He's a proud Scorpio, and his love languages are discussing economic game theory and making objectively bad puns.

 


 

Crissy Young

She, Her, Hers

Office Manager + Assistant to the Director

Crissy Young is the Office Manager and Assistant to the Director for the Gender + Equality Center.  In this role, she is responsible for the day to day operations of the office and assists with the many exciting programs the center provides.  She is also an OU Advocate.  She received a Distinguished Performance Award from the University of Oklahoma in 2021.

Crissy received a Bachelor of General Studies in Theatre and Film from the University of Kansas .  She directed  “In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)” by Sarah Ruhl and “Patient A” by Lee Blessing for the Peggy Dow Helmrich School of Drama.  Prior to joining the GEC, she was an administrative assistant for OU's Center for English as a Second Language.

When not at the front desk of the office, Crissy enjoys reading and attending new plays, knitting, and spending time with her family.