Scouting the Unknown has been captivating generations of students since 2005. Based on campus speaker Ryan Sallans’s life story and professional work in the fields of orientation and gender development, this program begins with Ryan’s foundational overview of gender based on both science and cultural influences.
After introducing students to this foundation, Ryan shares his life story from childhood dreams and struggles to moving into being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in college. Ryan’s story shifts to him discovering he could transition gender during a time with even more limited access to knowledge and care.
Having now transitioned twenty years ago, Ryan provides the opportunity for audiences to ask him questions about his journey, about themselves, or general curiosity on gender and current society and culture.
Ryan closes this program by reminding audiences that who they are is something they’ll continue to explore throughout their lifetime. Just when you think you have it figured out, something else presents itself.
Suggested Length: 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Description: Becoming Ryan: Eating Disorder Recovery and Transition is a presentation that blends present research surrounding eating disorders with Ryan’s personal recovery story from anorexia nervosa, which began in 1999. With insight as an ethical health educator on this topic, Ryan’s personal journey assists audiences with understanding the emotions that drive the eating disorder and also the recovery.
Suggested Length: 1 ½ hours
Description: Navigating Gender on Campus is a professional staff development training focused on breaking down barriers and misconceptions presented due to gender. This training can be open to all departments or made health-care specific. Ryan has been guiding institutions for the past twenty years with his forefront thinking and broad lens approach.
Suggested Length: 2 hours
Some campuses also screen the popular documentary, Gender Rebel, due to Ryan being one of the subjects followed. For campuses interested in screening this documentary, contact Progeny Pictures for license use.
Arkansas:
California:
Colorado:
Delaware:
Florida:
Georgia:
Illinois:
Iowa:
Kansas:
Kentucky:
Maine:
Maryland:
Massachusetts:
Michigan:
Minnesota:
Mississippi:
Missouri:
Montana:
Nebraska:
New York:
New Jersey:
North Carolina:
North Dakota:
Oregon:
Ohio:
Pennsylvania:
Rhode Island:
South Dakota:
Tennessee:
Texas:
Washington:
Wisconsin:
Vermont:
Virginia:
I saw Ryan at the MACURH Regional Conference and my students and I agreed that we needed to bring him to our campus to speak. His program FTM: Scouting the Unknown was inspiring, informational and honesty. He was wonderful to work with for the program and training session, I would highly recommend that you consider bringing him to your campus.
Melissa Hettmann, RHA Advisor/ Mitchell Hall Residence Hall Director, St. Cloud State University
“As I watched Ryan Sallans tell us his story…I kept looking at the faces of the students in the audience. They were listening as closely as I was – and with similar respect. I realized that Ryan was probably saving the life of someone in that room, and that I could multiply that saved life many times over.”
“I cannot say enough how much the JMU community truly enjoyed and learned from Ryan. The professional development for a trans inclusive campus provided an opportunity for meaningful learning and discussion among our Student Affairs professionals. The campus-wide presentation Sexing Ed was incredible! I looked around several times throughout to see students that were completely absorbed. Ryan has the ability to engage audience members, he is an outstanding speaker.”
“If you’re looking for a speaker who can address the subtleties and nuances of sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression without confusing beginners or offending more knowledgeable audience members, I highly recommend Ryan Sallans for your next program.”
“Our primary goal in the grant project was to help our campus become more trans-inclusive. We were looking for a warm, authentic and knowledgeable person to help campus administrators, faculty and staff create a welcoming and inclusive community. Ryan did all of that and more! By meeting with trans and gender nonconforming students the evening prior to the training and learning their concerns, he was able to make the session relevant and real for our own campus.”