The oSTEM at Colorado School of Mines Office Hour Program seeks to provide support and guidance to students who are looking for a listening ear in the LGBT+ community.
Participants are encouraged to ask questions, challenge stereotypes and gain self-confidence. The program provides not only sexual identity support to students, but also academic, career, community and personal guidance. Allies and all members of the LGBTQ+ community, including questioning individuals, are encouraged to participate.
Office hours will not be held on days off from school. Please check the oSTEM calendar for any changes or cancellations.
Kai Nichols (he/him/his)
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm MEP, Coolbaugh House, 1700 Maple St, Mondays
Identity: Biromantic, Grey-Asexual, Transgender, Man
Senior in Computer Science and Data Science
Kai Nichols is a senior working towards a B.S. in computer science with a specialty in data science. He identifies as bisexual and a transman. At Mines, Kai serves on the executive boards of oSTEM and the fraternity Fiji and is an undergraduate member of the MInDS (Machine learning, Informatics, and Data Science) research group with the CS department. Outside of school, he spends what’s rest of his time baking anything from sourdough bread to pastry.
Alyssa Boll (she/her/hers)
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm MEP, Coolbaugh House, 1700 Maple St, Mondays
Identity: Cisgender Woman, Asexual, Demibiromantic
Senior in Electrical Engineering
I’m a Senior in Electrical Engineering minoring in Computer Engineering, and am the VP of Advocacy of oSTEM, President of the CSM Karate Club, and I attend an Episcopal church. I identify as a cisgender woman on the asexual, bi, and aromantic spectra. Mines has been a place of peer support, personal growth, and acceptance of my identity, and I would love to help others who are questioning and working on understanding their own.
Max Pisciotta (he/him/his or they/them/theirs)
11:00 am to 12:00 pm MZ 231, Tuesdays
Identity: Transgender Man, Genderqueer, Bisexual
Second-Year Masters Student in Mechanical Engineering
My name is Max and I am a Master’s student in mechanical engineering. I also completed my undergraduate degree at Mines in mechanical engineering. I work in the Colorado Fuel Cell Center to store renewable energy as liquid fuel. Outside of coursework and research, I enjoy hiking, reading, culinary arts, and advocacy. I am happy with how much I have been able to become involved in oSTEM and contribute to the various efforts to promote inclusivity on campus.
Kyle Blount (he/him/his)
10:00 am - 11:00 am CO 316, Wednesdays
Identity: Cisgender, Gay, Male
PhD Candidate in Hydrology
Kyle is a PhD student in Hydrology and has been involved with oSTEM since arriving at Mines in 2016. His long-term professional goals include teaching and research as a faculty member at a university. He identifies as a cisgender gay man and enjoys time with is dog, fitness, reading, and a myriad of outdoor activities. Kyle is committed to helping Mines students explore their identities and live happy, authentic lives.
Olivia Bird (she/her/hers)
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm MZ 231, Wednesdays
Identity: Transgender Woman, Lesbian, Queer, Homoromantic-Demisexual
Sophomore in Chemistry
Olivia Bird is a sophomore here at the Colorado School of Mines. She identifies as both transgender and a lesbian, and works hard to make sure that students in the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe and accepted on campus and in the community at large. In her time here at Mines she hopes to leave a positive impact and make the school a more inclusive place for everyone than when she arrived.
Luke Colaciello (he/him/his)
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm MZ 331, Thursdays
Identity: Gay, Queer, Biromantic
PhD Candidate in Materials Science
Luke is a graduate student studying materials science and works in the chemistry department synthesizing nanostructured catalysts for biomass upgrading and electrocatalysis. Outside of science, he has thoroughly enjoyed the work he does through oSTEM, especially creating opportunities to foster dialogue around the LGBTQ+ experience in STEM with diverse communities. He is a big comic book nerd, a self-prescribed linguaphile, and the proud owner of a big-tongued dog, Leo, and a beautiful snake, Sacha.
Peter Weddle (he/him/his)
10:00 am - 11:00 am MEP, Coolbaugh House, 1700 Maple St, Fridays
Identity: Cisgender, Gay, Male
PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering
My name is Peter Weddle and I am a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering. I have been at Mines for my undergraduate, masters and now PhD program. I volunteer at the GLBT Center in Denver and was the president of oSTEM for 2016-2017. I am proud of how I learned to grow at Colorado School of Mines and now I am striving to help others feel comfortable in their own skin on campus.
Please Note: All office hour hosts are mandatory reporters.
If none of these times work for you, contact us at mines@chapters.ostem.org and we’ll find a time!