QUT education student and LGBTIQ Ally Nathan Watts has been awarded a $2400 national scholarship by The Pinnacle Foundation to help further his studies.
Nathan is in his third year of a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) majoring in Physical Education and Film & Media Studies and hopes to embark on a PhD once he finishes his undergraduate degree.
He was awarded the Pinnacle Scholarship in Sydney last month - the national program's only new recipient in 2014 from Queensland.
Nathan works for QUT as an Explore Uni ambassador (which involves promoting tertiary education and QUT to school students) and also volunteers his time as a QUT Ally Network member.
Allies are trained to understand sexuality and gender issues and to provide 'safe zones', support and referral for QUT staff and students who identify as LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex or queer).
Nathan said the scholarship money had enabled him to buy a new computer for his studies. It also includes being paired with a mentor - diversity consultant Dr Ann Stewart, a former equity director at the University of Queensland.
Nathan's academic goal is to become a teacher and eventually an academic staff member focused on education and sports psychology, particularly students with Autistic Spectrum.
The Pinnacle Foundation has been established to provide scholarships and mentoring to lesbian, gay, transexual, queer, intersex and bisexual youth around Australia who are marginalised or disadvantaged.
Media contact: media@qut.edu.au
