Scholarship Awards

The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of Kevin Roe Legacy Scholars, including:

  • Saven Ali

  • Raymond Bailey

  • Jay Beane

  • Ellery Carlson

  • Danny Castillo

  • Carlos Megallañez, Jr.

  • Sophia Nguyen

This extraordinary group of San José State University students come from both campus and online programs. They range from second-year undergraduates through final-year doctoral students, studying public health, nursing, queer anthropology, child development, psychology, and education.

Our 2026 Kevin Roe Legacy Scholars are students, organizers, activists, artists, leaders, and visionaries. We are honored to amplify their voices and grateful to the generous donors who made these scholarship awards possible.

"The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund is making public health innovation possible by ensuring queer voices are included and leading the way, a bridge between hope and action."

—Professor Carlos Rodríguez-Díaz, Boston University

  • "Queer communities hold deep insight into equity, resilience, and justice because we have had to navigate systems not designed for us. When our voices are silenced and erased, stereotypes persist, and policies lose their nuance, leading to the harm of communities. Silencing LGBTQ+ people does not create a better world; it perpetuates harm and narrows the image of what society could be. I strive to lead with honesty, empathy, and joy while challenging stigma and inequity."

    —Ellery Carlson

  • "As a gay man, I have learned that courage sometimes means visibility—speaking honestly when silence would be easier. I believe meaningful change often begins with individuals willing to step forward for others. Leadership is often quiet, relational, and rooted in compassion."

    —Jay Beane

  • "In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, leadership means refusing to be silent, choosing compassion over fear, and committing to long-term change. I carry these values with me as I prepare for a career dedicated not only to healing individuals, but to strengthening the communities we all share."

    —Raymond Bailey

  • "Beyond academia, I am a multidisciplinary artist working in music, poetry, and zinemaking. My creative practice translates queer theory into community-centered art and collective care. I hope to embody the spirit of love, persistence, and collectivism that Kevin Roe modeled throughout his life."

    —Danny Castillo

  • "Instead of being silenced, I am using my personal queer voice to spotlight the importance of the LGBTQ+ community. I try to make extraordinary things ordinary. 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

  • "My north star is my community; my values are rooted in freeing my community from systemic persecution. I do this by embodying Kevin’s passion for community organizing, education, and mentorship with a fierce tenacity and contagious laughter."

    —Saven Ali

  • "Navigating spaces that were not always affirming taught me the importance of visibility, voice, and action. Rather than allowing these challenges to limit me, they inspired me to advocate for those who may not yet feel safe or empowered to do so themselves. Experience has taught me that leadership is not about authority, but about responsibility."

    —Carlos Megallañez, Jr.

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    Kevin Roe Legacy Fund Scholarships

    2027 Legacy Scholarship applications will open December 1, 2026.  The deadline is March 10, 2027.

    HOW TO APPLY
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    Kevin Roe Legacy Fund Donations

    The Legacy Fund is grateful to the many donors who have made this level of support possible. Please join us to help support vital programs like these in the future. 

    DONATE NOW