Kevin Roe Legacy Fund Announces Inaugural Scholarships and Awards for the San José State University LGBTQ+ Queer Community
The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund honors the courage and contributions of San José State University’s LGBTQ+ queer students, and faculty, staff, and community partners. Kevin Roe (1962 – 2025) was an organizer, educator, and mentor for over 45 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. He served on the faculty of San José State University where he was named the university’s 2023 Outstanding Lecturer. A proud gay man living with HIV, he hoped to establish a scholarship for queer students at SJSU.
The Legacy Fund was established in November 2025 through the Valley Health Foundation to carry forward Kevin’s lifelong commitment to advocacy, equity, and social justice.
“Valley Health Foundation is proud to support the Kevin Roe Legacy Fund as its fiscal sponsor and partner in this important work”, says Tom Zazueta, Chief Operating Officer of Valley Health Foundation. “This fund is a powerful example of what community-driven philanthropy can achieve. The scholarships and awards announced today do more than recognize excellence. They invest in leadership, creativity, and lived experience that will shape a healthier, more inclusive Santa Clara County for years to come.”
The Inaugural Scholarships and Awards will be formally presented at an Awards Ceremony on June 7, 2026. These awards are made possible through generous gifts from donors in the local area and across the country.
“This is public health at its critical best”, says Lisa Carlson, former president of the American Public Health Association.
This year’s honorees include:
Scholarships
The Kevin Roe Legacy Scholars – a cohort of eight SJSU students, including Saven Ali, Raymond Bailey, Jay Beane, Ellery Carlson, Danny Castillo, Carlos Megallañez, Jr., and Sophia Nguyen. These scholars and campus leaders were selected for their demonstrated courage and tireless dedication to actively creating the communities they imagine.
In their own words:
“As a gay man, I have learned that courage sometimes means visibility – speaking honestly when silence would be easier.” —Jay Beane, Public Health
“Navigating spaces that were not always affirming taught me the importance of visibility, voice, and action. Experience has taught me that leadership is not about authority, but about responsibility.” —Carlos Megallañez, Jr, Education
“I want queer joy to be the norm, and I work towards building a community regardless of where I am that provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to live freely.” —Sophia Nguyen, Nursing
Awards
Program Recognition Awards recognize exemplary projects completed over the past 12 months by SJSU students, faculty, and/or staff that demonstrate courage and inclusion, advocacy for social justice, and pride in being queer.
“You Will Not Erase Us”: Trans Day of Remembrance 2025 – A month of remembrance, creativity, courage, and hope for the SJSU community, incorporating art, creativity, the traditional reading of names, and fundraising for the Trans Youth Emergency Project. As stated at the memorial, “We mourn the dead and protect the living.”
Making Queer and Trans Worlds: Speculative Fiction in Chaotic Times – A symposium exploring the history and importance of queer/trans YA and speculative fiction, and the ways in which the genres connect to social movements, subcultural worlds, and queer and trans futures. “Parties from across the university created a space where we could share laughs, serious critique of social problems, and insights into the significance of queer and trans creative expression.”
Program Support Awards provide up to $500 for on-campus projects planned for the 12 months ahead that recognize, support, and celebrate the campus LGBTQ+ community.
SJSU Trans Teach-In – Educational forumfeaturing Keynote Speaker Erin Reed on the status of transgender civil rights, speakers on resources for trans and queer students, a zine-making workshop, and a student panel sharing experience, wisdom, and joy in transgender lives.
Trans Financial Workshops – A series of educational workshops, 1:1 financial literacy coaching, and support to open and manage a bank account.
Queer Careers – A symposium for SJSU students to explore “how to incorporate your authentic, full self at work, how to find jobs and network as a queer person, and how to see your sexuality and gender identity as an asset.”
Bestie Fest – An on-campus conference for LGBTQ+ middle school youth in the Bay Area, in partnership with local public school districts and building on the successful 2025 Unity Conference.
MaskBloc DIY Air Purifier Build – Maker event including education on the importance of clean air in fighting the spread of airborne diseases and a hands-on tutorial for building a take-home air purifier.
“In moments when the world feels uncertain, support from the Kevin Roe Legacy Fund becomes a bridge between hope and action, a way to protect joy, and a commitment to ensuring that queer lives continue not just to endure, but to flourish.” —Dr. Carlos Rodríguez-Díaz, Boston University.
Further information on each award is available online.
About Kevin Roe
Kevin Roe (1962 – 2025) was a beloved family member, educator, activist, mentor, and friend. Like a comet, he blazed across the 63 years of his life with purpose, direction, courage, and light. Kevin cared deeply about the health of gay men and extended that commitment across communities, identities, and backgrounds.
Kevin was gay and HIV+. He was out and proud and vocal. His ability to connect and inspire was extraordinary. Over his career, he worked as a community organizer for Project Inform, Community United Against Violence (CUAV), and Magnet SF. He was an evaluator for the San Francisco Community Planning Council for over a decade. He taught in the Public Health Department of San José State University for 13 years, teaching courses and coordinating the Master of Public Health Program. He was named the university’s 2023 Outstanding Lecturer. During the COVID epidemic, Kevin and his husband Dale Gluth moved to Port Clinton, Ohio. He was able to keep teaching through SJSU’s online programs, while also putting down roots in his new home. In 2023 he was recognized for his volunteer service at Port Clinton’s Bistro 163. In 2025 he was invited to the Board of Directors of the city’s charitable organization, The Wylie Walleye Foundation.
Kevin was modest about his contributions but his impact was deep and broad and lasting. His death from a sudden massive heart attack was a shock and immeasurable loss.
About the Legacy Fund
The family of Kevin Roe has established the Kevin Roe Legacy Fund at Valley Health Foundation to carry forward his enduring commitment to equity, inclusion, and the well-being of LGBTQ+ communities at San José State University and across Santa Clara County.
Kevin, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff at San José State University (SJSU), had envisioned a dedicated scholarship to affirm and uplift LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education. The Legacy Fund seeks to bring that dream to life.
The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund provides support to:
Award scholarships for LGBTQ+ students at SJSU
Champion campus and community partners advancing health equity
Address stigma, discrimination, and disparities affecting LGBTQ+ populations
Promote inclusive learning and living environments in Santa Clara County
Aligned with Valley Health Foundation’s mission to advance health equity countywide, the Fund seeks to contribute to a future where every student, regardless of identity, has the opportunity to learn, contribute, and thrive.
“Kevin believed in creating spaces where everyone could flourish,” said his sister and Fund Co-Founder Kathleen Roe. “With this fund, we are ensuring that his dedication to dignity, belonging, and justice continues to shape lives for generations.”
Supporting the Legacy Fund
Legacy Fund Scholarships and Awards are made possible through the generous contributions of our donors. The Legacy Fund welcomes all tax-deductible gifts to continue this recognition for years to come. For more information, visit the Legacy Fund donation page.