Abstract
This applied dissertation examines how trans*-inclusive support is organized and sustained through LGBTQ+ resource centers at four-year, non-religious universities in the United States. Although many institutions articulate commitments to inclusion and maintain formal policies intended to support trans* students, the consistency of that support depends on more than policy language alone. Drawing on literature related to campus climate, LGBTQ+ centers, and institutional processes, this study analyzes how decentralized authority, leadership interpretation, and external political and legal pressures shape the enactment of trans*-inclusive support within loosely coupled university systems. The analysis finds that variation in support is structured rather than incidental. Policies related to chosen names, housing, student conduct, and other areas are carried out unevenly when implementation depends on local interpretation, fragmented coordination, and inconsistent administrative backing. LGBTQ+ centers play an important role in support and advocacy, but their effectiveness and stability are shaped by their institutional positioning, reporting lines, and access to durable resources. In response to these conditions, the study offers three recommendations for institutional leaders: Formalize accountability for implementation, provide clear guidance to reduce interpretive ambiguity, and strengthen the institutional position of LGBTQ+ centers through established governance and budget processes. Together, the findings show that reliable trans*-inclusive support depends on how institutional commitments are coordinated, enacted, and sustained through administrative structure.