Former interim VP of Equity and Belonging honored with Founders Award

Dr. Charlita Shelton has been a proud member of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education organization since its inception 15 years ago.

Last month, her many contributions to creating safe, welcoming spaces for queer and trans individuals across U.S. higher education were celebrated when she was presented with the Founders Award by the national organization.

“The Founders Award was introduced last year to recognize those who have been pivotal in the growth of the organization since the beginning,” said Shelton, the former interim Vice President of Equity and Belonging at CWU, who now serves as Special Consultant to the President. “The award celebrates a lifetime of leadership, and I’m so proud to be considered for this honor.”

CWU President Jim Wohlpart nominated Shelton earlier this year, and she found out in September that she would be recognized at the annual awards ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Karen Whitney was also presented with a Founders Award after a more than 40-year career in higher education.

The award presenter at the October 16 event was Shelton’s longtime colleague and President Emeritus of Roosevelt University Chuck Middleton — one of two recipients of the inaugural Founders Award, along with Ray Crossman.

“Chuck told a story about me from years ago and reminded the audience how important it is that we stand up as leaders, serve as mentors, and lead with care and compassion,” Shelton said. “He also invited my wife, Lynne (Schumal), on stage when he presented me with the award. That meant a lot to both of us.”

Shelton explained that after 15 years of building a successful organization, the nearly 300 members intend to “stand strong” in the face of national forces that would like to see people like them relegated to second-class status, as they were until recently.

“We, as queer and trans leaders, are not going back,” she said. “We need to continue to provide a supportive community for other leaders, and all other people who happen to identify as queer or trans. We need to provide opportunities for professional development and mentorship so our friends and colleagues feel empowered to lead in similar ways.”

The organization formed in 2010 as the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education and later changed its name to LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education to welcome more influential voices to the forefront.

Shelton became involved when she served as President of the University of the Rockies in Denver, now known as the University of Arizona Global Campus. She remained active in the organization when she served as President of Argosy University in Atlanta and, later, as Associate Chief Diversity Officer, COVID-19 Compliance Officer, and Chief of Staff at Gonzaga University.

Shelton was hired as Interim VP of Equity and Belonging at CWU in the spring of 2024, just as her contract with Gonzaga was coming to an end.

She has always appreciated the organization’s mission and the camaraderie that exists among the membership.

“At first, we would meet quarterly and talk about the things we could do to provide leadership to the LGBTQ community in higher ed,” she said. “But, as time went on, we felt it was important to expand our reach. It has continued to grow, and we now have members in nearly every state.”

Shelton remains in close contact with many of the current and former university presidents who co-founded the organization. That made last month’s event in Milwaukee extra special for her.

“It was a great moment for me to be in a familiar place with familiar people who have stood next to me for so many years,” she said. “It was truly amazing to me to see hundreds of people together in a room who are coming together for a common purpose.”