Linguistics Major Helps Rebuild LGBTQIA2S+ Student Organization from Ground Up

Linguistics major Ryan Peters has devoted much of his time to cultivating the LGBTQIA2S+ community at Michigan State University in his pivotal role as the Residence Halls Association (RHA) Representative for People Respecting the Individuality of Students at MSU (PRISM), which is the South Neighborhood LGBTQIA2S+ Caucus. 

He was first elected as the RHA Representative for PRISM during his first semester on campus.

A smiling young man with shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes wearing an American flag bandanna headband takes a selfie in front of a display board with photos and writing on it.
Ryan Peters promoting PRISM during a move-in week event at Michigan State University.

“I knew immediately that I wanted to join some sort of support group at the university because I was passionate about a cause,” Peters said. “I want to provide a space where other people in my situation can build a supportive network and develop the courage and skills necessary to discuss our own existence.”

As one of only two members of PRISM upon his election in Fall 2021, Peters took on an instrumental role in rebuilding an active community and eBoard by volunteering 10 hours a week to organize weekly meetings, promote the organization across social media, and more.

“I want to provide a space where other people in my situation can build a supportive network and develop the courage and skills necessary to discuss our own existence.”

“Running a student organization is competitive because people typically find one or two groups that they go to for the whole year and don’t regularly attend others,” he said. “My biggest takeaway is that we need more people who are willing to work to maintain this student community and make this school a better place.”

As the RHA Representative, Peters speaks on behalf of PRISM as well as advocates for the rights of students and shares important news from the association and its faculty. 

Seven young people sit and stand in a university hallway, all with green hats on. Two people, one at far left and another second to right, hold up different sweatshirts.
Ryan Peters (far right) with the 2022-2023 PRISM eBoard showing off the organization’s new hoodies.

“It is the unfortunate reality of our culture that so many LGBTQIA2S+ people are raised to have adverse reactions to themselves, and it can take years to unlearn this,” he said. “Fortunately, most young people who come to this university have their preconceptions challenged in some way.”

Peters also is a Student Research Assistant at the Phonology and Phonetics Experimental Lab for the MSU Phonology and Phonetics Group, a graduate student research club led by faculty Yen-Hwei Lin and Karthik Durvasula from the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures and Silvina Bongiovanni from the Department of Romance and Classical Studies.

A smiling young man with shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes wearing a cap stands with his hands on his waist in front of a window that has papers with "never again, never forget" and "say it loud, gay and proud" in all caps taped onto it from inside the building.
Ryan Peters standing at his residence hall window, which shows the pink triangle symbol for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the words “Never Again,” referencing the Holocaust, and “Never Forget,” referencing the AIDS crisis. On the right side of the window are the words “Say it loud! Gay and proud!”

“My interactions with faculty and graduate students in the Phonetics Lab have helped me learn to conduct myself in a more professional manner,” Peters said. “I can’t help but think this has influenced my conduct with PRISM so as to provide an example for new students. I am also thankful to have met so many wonderful individuals from many different backgrounds.”

Currently in his third year as a Linguistics major, he also is dual enrolled in the BA+MA Degree Program, which allows him to take graduate-level classes during the last two years of his undergraduate degree. In addition, he has dual minors in Agribusiness Management and Japanese. 

“I consider my time in the Linguistics department to be a great honor. As I started attending more Linguistics-related things outside of class, I was shocked at how easy it was to get involved in the department and meet the faculty.” 

“I consider my time in the Linguistics department to be a great honor,” he said. “As I started attending more Linguistics-related things outside of class, I was shocked at how easy it was to get involved in the department and meet the faculty. I just had to go out and ask, and they were there to guide me.” 

Peters says the “most useful class” he has taken during his entire college career is Data Analysis for Linguists with Associate Professor Karthik Durvasula

A smiling young man with shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes wearing a red jacket holds a circle decor piece with "Michigan State Spartans" written on the rim with a large Spartan logo in the middle.
Ryan Peters showing off the Spartan swag he received as a gift from his grandparents.

“Everything I learned in that class I use regularly for my work in the Phonetics Lab,” he said. “Some of my other Linguistics classes have helped me in learning Japanese, especially Introduction to Syntax and Morphology.”

What initially started as an interest in foreign languages, later grew into a passion for language science. Peters plans to study abroad in Japan next summer before graduating. He then would like to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics.

“My experiences at MSU have been instrumental in shaping who I am now and my attitude to any challenges that come my way,” he said. “Through my studies and work with PRISM, I have learned the importance of leadership in one’s own life and how to take charge.”

Written by Kseniya Lukiy