Beyond the Boardroom Greg Miraglia, College Professor, LGBT Activist, Author, Radio Producer and Host G reg Miraglia is a nationally respected educator, author, LGBTQIA+ advocate, public-safety trainer, radio producer and host whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to education as a tool for change. A longtime college professor and Dean Emeritus at Napa Valley College, Miraglia has taught in the fields of criminal justice, public safety and LGBTQIA+ studies, bringing both professional expertise and personal insight to his work with students, officers, educators and community leaders. He is the founder of Out to Protect, a national nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA+ By Kim Claypool
professionals in law enforcement through scholarships, training, resources and advocacy. As an author and speaker, Miraglia has amplified the stories of LGBTQIA+ public-safety professionals and helped advance understanding within institutions where visibility and representation have not always come easily. Miraglia’s advocacy is also deeply connected to his long-standing involvement with the Matthew Shepard Foundation, where he serves on the Board of Directors. Through that work, he continues to support the Foundation’s mission to replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance. The foundation was established by Matthew Shepard's parents after the 21-year-old University of Wyoming student was targeted in a brutal anti-gay hate crime in 1998. Shepard's death became a catalyst for national conversations about hate crimes, LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance, eventually helping inspire the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009. Behind a microphone, in a classroom, on a stage, or working alongside national advocacy organizations, Greg Miraglia’s career is a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose, courage and authenticity. His work continues to inspire important conversations, build bridges across communities and remind others that education and visibility can be catalysts for lasting change. To learn more about Greg Miraglia, his books, advocacy, trainings and how to get involved, visit www. gregmiraglia.com . You’ve had such a wide-ranging career—law enforcement, teaching, writing, radio, advocacy and cooking. At a dinner party, how do you usually explain what you do? Today, I describe myself as a teacher. It captures a theme that’s been present throughout my entire career. I wanted to be a teacher as far back as kindergarten. Law enforcement ended up being a bit of a diversion, but my career in law enforcement led me back to teaching and really has led me to where I am today. You’ve spent much of your career as an educator. What does teaching mean to you today? I've always considered teaching to be an art. It's not something that can be perfected but rather something that’s always being refined. If you're a good teacher, you're also a good student and you're always learning something new, something more exciting, different ways of doing things. And that is very, very true for me today, especially around technology. Of all the projects, programs, trainings, or organizations you have helped build, is there one that feels especially personal to you? I would have to say my involvement with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. If I had not understood Matthew’s story and met his mom back in 2000 to bring her to the college and go through that experience, so much of the rest of my life I don’t believe would have unfolded the way that it did. It’s hard to say for sure, but the work that I'm doing with Out to Protect, a lot of the teaching, especially the LGBTQIA+ work may not have unfolded when it did or how it did. The work that I have done to help the foundation grow and be a part of it is among the accomplishments I am most proud of. It has also helped me change my small part of the world. Matt, as a young college student, had really found a passion for political science, and he told his mom before he was murdered that he wanted to go out and change the world. I've always believed that Matt has changed the world through his story in ways he could have never even imagined. I often describe Matt as the best friend I never knew because he changed my life in profound ways through his story. Matt’s family has seen some extraordinary examples of how his story has impacted people around the world through their travels globally. They're very close and dear friends to me. When you're motivated to participate in something or do work because it's a big part of your heart, then that work becomes a lot easier and more meaningful.
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