2007 POINT SCHOLARS

Kathryn Jerman

Columbia University

Public Health

Kate was born and raised in a small Vermont town that was decidedly less supportive of her queer identity than her family and friends. As the only out student in her high school, she quickly became the target of other student’s ignorance and prejudice. The experience quickly motivated her to become an activist and an outspoken advocate for others. Determined not to let other youth go through the same negative experiences, she founded the first LGBT community center in Vermont during her sophomore year in college.

After graduating from NYU with a Bachelor’s of Social Work, Kate returned to Vermont to co-lead the state’s only organization for LGBT youth. During that time she was the youngest person ever to receive the Price Fellowship for HIV Prevention Leadership at the CDC in Atlanta, GA.

Kate is currently pursuing an MPH at Columbia University in Sexuality & Health. She works with high-risk youth in the 5 boroughs and is active in campus efforts to increase the visibility of LGBT issues in the field of public health. Upon graduation in May 2008 Kate’s goal is to work with LGBT youth to become leaders in their own communities.