Susan Lidster & Vessy Mochikas
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a program designed to ease the transition from secondary to post-secondary school for students who identify as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. As students transition to post secondary school they may experience a heightened sense of stress about what their new school environment will be like, whether or not they will fit in and will they be accepted by their new school peers. Johnson (2009) found that a sense of belonging at school, at any level, is critical to student success.
The program we are developing and testing will provide an opportunity for students who identify as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community from SD 73 and TRU to meet and engage in social activities, discussions, and guest presentations. This program is important because it will provide the opportunity for the TRU participants to share their experience as they transitioned to post-secondary school, answer questions and address concerns of the secondary school students, and establish a supportive peer network and resource for the secondary students, prior to their arrival at TRU.