Meet Our Staff

Lowell Kane, MEd, Director

Pronouns: He/They

Hicks Library, Rm. G988 | Phone: 765-494-7779 | Email: Lowell@purdue.edu 

Lowell is the inaugural Director of Purdue's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Center. He has been an advocate and leader in the LGBTQ community for more than a decade, with specializations in educational programming, support services, fostering collaborative partnerships, establishing Safe Zone programs, facilitation/training, and leadership development. As an alumnus of the transformative Social Justice Training Institute, Lowell has dedicated his work to the pursuit of equity by identifying ways to improve campus climate and shape the educational experience to be more inclusive and welcoming of all students, including LGBTQ and ally people. In addition to his work in higher education, Lowell has consulted on projects for NASA's Johnson Space Center, the RAND Corporation, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the Fundamental Rights Committee of the Parliament of Nepal.

A native New Yorker, Lowell attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he received a bachelor's degree in anthropology. With academic interests that include prehistoric technology, symbology and gender, he participated in field research in the American Southwest, Polynesia and East Africa. Kane was a student leader, serving as president of the LGBT Alliance and as a key advisor on LGBTQ issues to campus administrators and faculty. Additionally, Kane was instrumental in developing new course offerings that focus on the history and culture of LGBTQ communities.

As a programming assistant in the Women’s and Gender Equity Resource Center at Texas A&M University, Lowell advanced LGBTQ campus awareness and resources. His efforts resulted in the establishment of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center in 2007 — the first stand-alone GLBT resource center at a public institution in the state of Texas. As the founding program coordinator of the Texas A&M GLBT Resource Center, he focused on three key initiatives: education, outreach and support. In this role, he also served as the South-Central Regional Representative to the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals and presented at state and national conferences. While at Texas A&M, Lowell received an M.Ed. with a focus in multicultural education, particularly in the development of culturally responsive teaching practices for LGBTQ students. He is also the recipient of the Student Organization Advisor of the Year, Diversity Service and Distinction in the field of Student Affairs awards, as well as the prestigious Phyllis R. Frye Advocacy Award.

Beyond his professional interests, owell enjoys participating in community organizations, traveling, theatre, art, reading, movies, attending auctions and being outdoors with his amazing dog.

Kelsey Chapman, Assistant Director

Pronouns: She/Her

Hicks Library, Rm. G988 | Phone: 765-494-3676 | Email: chapma21@purdue.edu

Kelsey is the Assistant Director of the Purdue University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Center. She has over five years of experience in LGBTQ student affairs, with specializations in educational programming and support services. As a cultural competencies training facilitator, Kelsey has trained Purdue students, staff, faculty, and Greater Lafayette community members on intersectional and inclusive allyship to the LGBTQIA+ community.

From Lafayette, Indiana, Kelsey attended Purdue University and received her B.A. in History with a minor in Communications in 2018. She co-facilitated the Sex, History, and the Cities study abroad program with Lowell Kane and Dr. Yvonne Pitts.

Beyond her professional interests, Kelsey enjoys reading, board games, and spending time with her partner and their dog.

Janay Rentas, Coordinator

Pronouns: She/Her

Hicks Library, Rm. G988 | Email: rentas@purdue.edu

Janay is the Coordinator for the LGBTQ Center at Purdue. She is originally from Bloomington, Indiana but moved away from IU territory to attend Purdue. Janay graduated from Purdue in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, and she is currently enrolled as a graduate student with IUPUI to obtain a Master of Science in Counseling. Prior to joining the LGBTQ Center, Janay worked in an adult high school where she empowered non-traditional students to earn their high school diploma by removing barriers and encouraging personal growth. Janay is passionate about creating an accessible and inclusive academic setting for each student, especially those who are underrepresented and marginalized. Janay also has experience in domestic violence intervention, LGBTQ affairs, state legislation, mental health, and social work. In her free time, Janay enjoys hiking, traveling, strength-training, and eating her favorite foods with her favorite people.

Remingtin Mickle

Pronouns: She/They

Hicks Library, Rm. G988 | Email: rmickle@purdue.edu 

Remingtin (she/they) is the Program Manager for the LGBTQ Center at Purdue.  A Lafayette local, Remingtin has a B.A. in Sociology and a B.S. in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University.

She believes that a better, more inclusive world is possible, and seeks to instill that belief into her work with students. She is passionate about developing students into inclusive leaders. Remingtin has experience in mental health, professional development, and civic engagement. She is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, so she loves expanding students’ understanding of their CliftonStrengths.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and collecting rocks.

Brenda Breece

Pronouns: She/Her

Hicks Library, Rm. G988 | Email: bbreece@purdue.edu 

Started temp work at Purdue in 2015 as the opening grill cook at Pappy's, from there moved to Dining & Catering/Culinary. Hired fulltime in 2016 and stayed until 2020. Came back in 2021 to Mechanical Engineering and then finally arrived at the LGBTQ Center in October 2022. I have worked at most of the factories in town such as ALCOA, SIA and Wabash National to name a few. Originally from Lowell Indiana, moved to Lafayette to work for my father, and then later to Gainsville Florida to work as a hotel manager. Returned to Lafayette in 1995.

I have two children,  and a small zoo consisting of 4 small dogs, 4 tortoises, 2 bearded dragons and a hairless (skinny pig) guinea pig. When I have time I enjoy reading, watching anime, gaming, card/board games, and shopping.

Sage Maul

Pronouns: They/Them

Hicks Library, Rm. G988 | Email: kmaul@purdue.edu

Sage began work as the LGBTQ Center's GA in August 2023! They plan to work with the QGSA to continue the grad student programming Lauren, the Center's previous GA, started.

Sage is a third year student in the Engineering Education PhD program. Their research focuses on disabled student experiences in undergrad and grad engineering courses. Sage attended Purdue for their bachelor’s in electrical engineering with a minor in English. Sage moved to North Carolina and worked for a smart metering company for five years before coming back to Purdue for grad school.

In their free time, Sage enjoys hanging out with animals and playing board/video games.