Camden Doolittle

Camden Doolittle (they/them) is a student affairs professional, doctoral student, and lifelong scholar-advocate. They are passionate about supporting students as the experts in their experiences, using trauma informed and identity based approaches. They graduated as valedictorian from the University of San Diego, earning bachelors degrees in history and sociology. Following a term as a research scholar in gender studies at Oxford University, they earned a master’s degree in college student personnel at Bowling Green State University. Cam is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of California at Davis. Their background in residence life, basic needs, learning communities, Title IX and student conduct, and gender equity work positions them as a professional committed to dismantling systemic barriers to create inclusive and compassionate programs and policies. They currently work as the Basic Needs Manager at UC Davis, charged with leading campus-wide housing affordability initiatives.   As a transgender, non-binary professional they are constantly examining and identifying ways to make their workplace, and the field of education, a more equitable place to work, learn, and grow.

Session Information

Never Been a Natural: A Conversation on Neurodiversity and Empathetic Communication in HiTo Disrupt, To Challenge, To Disorient: Gender Fluidity as a Student Affairs Professional

My own personal theory of leadership is to “disrupt, to challenge, to disorient” (Wergin, 2011) practices and policies that are generally accepted as the norm in a given institution. By queering our lens, meaning I lead by critiquing all forms of normativity, we make space and resources visible and accessible for those who were not considered students, educators, or people in the founding of our education system, namely people of color, queer and trans folks, and others who have been systematically excluded. Sharing my story as a White, transgender non-binary, formerly housing insecure student who currently leads housing affordability initiatives at UC Davis, the goal of this session is to invite listeners to think about how their own gender identities have developed and showed up in their own professional environments. Grounded in storytelling and community building, this GAIN Speaks session will invite listeners to engage in radical vulnerability with open hearts and minds.