Welcome Carson Varnum (he/they), MEd

Carson brings 15 years of experience in sexuality focused community education and programs for all ages, with expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ adolescents and the adults who work with them.

July 11, 2025

TransActive is pleased to announce that Carson Varnum (he/they), has been named as their new Head of Education and Outreach.

Carson Varnum, TransActive Head of Education and Outreach Carson Varnum, TransActive Head of Education and Outreach

 

Varnum brings 15 years of experience in sexuality focused community education and programs for all ages, with expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ adolescents and the adults who work with them. He has worked interprofessionally to build programs that create new access to care, education, skills, and connection while centering community and youth voice.

“Through this, I have witnessed struggles, pain, growth, and joy that are necessary in finding who we are in this world,” states Varnum. “I love the field of sex and sexuality education for its transformative effect on identity development, leadership skills, and interpersonal skill building.”

I deeply believe in the power of community education to make the needed space for exciting, innovative, and emergent social change, especially for transgender people.

Varnum is thrilled to be joining TransActive, the Center for Community Engagement, and the larger Lewis & Clark community, and excited to be working with the graduate school to continue to leverage the interprofessional network of passionate and committed staff and faculty who have already made them feel so welcomed.

“Working toward trans rights, connection, and liberation is acutely powerful in this moment and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team in that effort,” he says. “TransActive’s unique and dynamic approach to building, supporting, and sustaining the infrastructure that trans youth need to thrive has the power to build a better world for all of us.  I look forward to seeing the bridges we will continue to build across the local community and beyond.”

Learn More About TransActive

More Stories

Kevin Wright MA '16
Exterior winter shot of campus with snow on the wall.
Students sitting together at a table, smiling at the teacher.
Two faculty members headshots, side by side.