Guilford College is again being recognized as one of the nation’s friendliest colleges for LGBTQ students by Best Accredited Colleges.

Guilford is the only college or university in North Carolina – and just one of two in the South – to receive the honor. Best Accredited Colleges uses data from leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, reports from students and faculty, and a comprehensive range of LGBTQ-inclusive factors to arrive at its list.

None of this is a surprise to Mac Davis ‘23, who graduated this month with a degree in Psychology and served as President of Guilford Pride, a student organization for undergraduate and graduate students who are part of LGBTQIA+ communities or allies who want to better support their LGBTQIA+ peers.

“The support the faculty at Guilford gave to the (LGBTQIA+) community is what got me involved with the school and PRIDE to begin with,” says Mac. “There’s such a great support system across the campus and it starts at the top.”

Steve Mencarini, Dean of Students at Guilford, says it’s an honor to again be recognized by Best Accredited Colleges. “Social justice is the core of who we are and what we practice at Guilford,” says Steve. “We will continue to build and promote a welcoming and positive climate for all of our students.”

In its recognition of Guilford, Best Accredited Colleges mentions the College offering free gender-therapy consultations, gender-inclusive housing, a Trans and Gender Non-Binary Committee, a Lavender Graduation, and a range of other affirming initiatives.

Guilford, which is ranked 32nd on Best Accredited College’s top 50 list of LGBTQ-friendly schools, is the smallest college to make the list. The organization noted the College “has a compassionate discrimination reporting policy, a robust Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department, and a powerful student organization called Guilford College PRIDE.”