Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference

Senior University Legal Counsel
UW-Madison

Anne E. Bilder is Senior University Legal Counsel in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). Her principal practice areas include employment law, student affairs, legal issues related to campus programs for children and youth, Title IX, privacy and cybersecurity, and diversity issues. Prior to joining OLA she served as Senior System Legal Counsel in the Office of General Counsel for the University of Wisconsin System where she was an attorney since 1998. Anne is a graduate of Carleton College and the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she was a member of Law Review. She also has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and teaches courses in privacy law at the Law School and a course in Legal Aspects of Higher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. An active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), she has served on many NACUA committees and has given presentations at annual conferences. In addition, she has spoken to a wide variety of statewide and regional audiences on topics including Title IX, student privacy, student discipline, diversity, and employment issues. She has also served as Co-Chair of the UW System President’s Task Force on Sexual Violence and Harassment and other policy-related committees.

Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students
Washington and Jefferson

Eva Chatterjee-Sutton joined W&J as the Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students in July of 2013. Eva earned her BS in Sociology and Political Science at Kansas State University and her MA in College Student Development with a minor in Organizational Change & Development at the University of Iowa. Upon completion of her graduate work, Eva joined the University of Maryland – Baltimore County (UMBC) where she held several positions within the Office of Residence Life. In the summer of 1997, Eva joined Bennington College, first as the Associate Director of Student Life and later transitioned to the Dean of Students at Bennington, in 2006.

At W&J, Eva continues her commitment to creating a holistic and robust student experience. She supports a team in the Division of Student Life whose work resonates with the values of student and community development: developing leaders of uncommon integrity. The work of the division includes athletics, campus & public safety, dining, residence life, accountability & conduct, student health and counseling, and professional and career pathways.

In addition to her board role on the Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference, Eva serves as the NCAA ADR Institute Facilitator; on the NASPA James E. Scott Academy Board; as a member of the NASPA Annual Conference VSPA Initiatives Subcommittee; and, on the NASPA Law and Policy Conference Planning Committee.

Advisor and Consultant 

Megan Farrell is an attorney licensed to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Megan currently serves as the Title IX Coordinator for Palo Alto Unified School District and provides consulting/mediation services to educational institutions.

Over the course of her career, Megan has served the education community in a variety of positions. She has been an administrator, in-house counsel, and a full-time faculty member, as well as Title IX Coordinator.  Aside from her in-house experience, she has also served as an external advisor to educational institutions on compliance matters.  Megan provided Title IX support and training to educational clients across the country with T9 Mastered and the Hirschfeld Kraemer, LLP law firm.

Megan began her education/legal career with United Educators Risk Retention Group where she provided assistance to colleges, universities, and K12 institutions across the country on employment and student claims and litigation.  She also served as the Education Practice Leader for DC-based offices of Marsh, Inc.

Founding Attorney
Faulkner Legal

Janet Elie Faulkner was Emerson College’s first general counsel and also was in-house counsel for Northeastern University for over ten years.   Janet conducts independent investigations of Title IX, employment, faculty, discrimination, disability, and athletics matters.   She recently co-authored a peer-reviewed article on accommodating disabilities in the Title IX process.  Janet has held leadership roles in the Boston Bar Association’s College and University section, is a member of the NACUANOTES Editorial Board, and has developed training modules for the Student Conduct Institute.  She was a co-author of SCI’s Joint Guidance on the 2020 Title IX regulations, including the article on the intersection between Title IX and Title VII.  Janet recently served as interim Employment Counsel for Cengage Learning.  She also teaches Education Law and Public Policy at Boston College.

Janet established Faulkner Legal in 2014.  Faulkner Legal is a boutique firm with a focus on the areas of employment, education, disability & privacy law. Faulkner Legal provides legal advice to colleges and universities, non-profits, education vendors, & small businesses.  Faulkner Legal is a member of the Partner Network of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.

Senior Counsel
Bond Schoeneck & King Attorneys

Seth brings direct experience in student affairs, labor and employment matters to his clients, with an emphasis on higher education institutions (HEIs). For the past 16 years, he served as senior counsel to several HEIs in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, including Upstate Medical University and the University at Buffalo.
Most recently, Seth was labor and student affairs counsel for SUNY’s western campuses (University at Buffalo, Buffalo State College, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Brockport and Alfred State College). In addition, he served as primary counsel for international programs, applied learning and records/e-discovery.Seth oversaw many labor and employment cases, including cases before the New York State Division of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He has drafted multiple policy documents for SUNY, including housing licenses, discrimination complaint procedures and e-discovery procedures. Seth managed audits, including federal and state Clery, OFCCP and Title IX audits; represented SUNY during Inspector General and Office for Civil Rights investigations and was counsel to task forces on student wellness and students with disabilities. He negotiated system-wide contracts with Google and Microsoft.Seth is a frequent presenter at national higher education conferences, including National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA).

Vice Chair, Institutional Response Group
Cozen O’Connor

Leslie Gomez, Vice Chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group, focuses her practice on the institutional response to sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, child abuse, and other forms of harassment, discrimination, and criminal conduct. Leslie provides consulting, counseling, and legal advice on all aspects of the institutional response to misconduct. She assists institutions in designing effective institutional responses that integrate the complex federal and state regulatory framework with the unique dynamics of trauma and the impacts of interpersonal violence on individuals and communities. Leslie regularly advises presidents, boards, senior leadership, counsel, student affairs, human resources, campus law enforcement, Title IX Coordinators, and other campus partners in implementing trauma-informed, fair, and impartial processes. Leslie helps institutions develop comprehensive policies, procedures, systems, and training programs in compliance with Title IX, Title VII, the Clery Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, and state and local laws. Leslie conducts comprehensive policy audits; drafts policies, procedures, and internal operating protocols; develops and trains multi-disciplinary teams; serves as an expert adviser to campus task forces and working groups; consults and advises on Title IX investigation, adjudication and appeal proceedings; and assists educational institutions in meeting federal compliance obligations and responding to investigations by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Clery Compliance Division. Prior to entering private practice, Leslie served as an assistant district attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

Partner
Clark Hill

Patricia Hamill, Co-Chair of Clark Hill’s Title IX and Campus Discipline practice, Patricia is an attorney who represents college students, faculty members, and administrators in campus disciplinary proceedings and in litigation following flawed disciplinary processes. She has been successful in bringing lawsuits around the nation for violations of Title IX (or other civil rights statutes), breach of contract and tort liability on the basis that colleges’ disciplinary processes failed to ensure fundamental due process rights, discriminated on the basis of sex and breached contractual obligations.

Patricia is a frequent speaker, commentator and writer on Title IX and is sought out by groups and institutions to share her knowledge and to advocate for how best to meet the needs of students and faculty in the ever-changing legal landscape involving Title IX case law and regulations. Given her expertise, she has often testified before the Department of Education and was invited to testify on due process issues before the United States Senate’s hearing on “Reauthorizing HEA: Addressing Campus Sexual Assault and Ensuring Student Safety and Rights” in Washington DC (April 2019).

Member
Institutional Response Group at Cozen O’Connor

As a member of the Institutional Response Group, Maureen’s practice is focused on helping educational institutions prevent and address sexual assault, interpersonal violence, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, hazing, and other forms of prohibited conduct under Title IX, Clery, VAWA, and related laws.

Maureen helps schools design and implement effective institutional responses that integrate the complex federal and state regulatory framework with the unique dynamics of sexual and gender-based harassment and the impacts of interpersonal violence on individuals and communities. She provides hands-on assistance writing policies and procedures, conducting investigations, serving as an external decision-maker, and developing and delivering training programs for Title IX Coordinators, Institutional Equity personnel, decision-makers, investigators, and other leaders.

Maureen served as Interim Title IX Coordinator at Baylor University, helping to build Baylor’s Office of Institutional Equity; and Interim Director of Investigations at a large state university, restructuring their intake and investigative processes. She currently leads a team of attorneys who serve as equity consultants for Michigan State University, reviewing policies, procedures, and case files and reporting on legal compliance and effective practices.

Maureen co-chairs Cozen O’Connor’s Education Team, helping identify, develop, and connect education leaders with legal advisors and experienced professionals within and outside the firm.

Partner
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Daniel (Dan) Kaufman is recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Labor & Employment Lawyer, holds an AV® (preeminent/highest) rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2012-present), among other honors. Dan is a member of the NACUA Board and has spoken at many NACUA and other conferences. He also has taught Law & Ethics in Higher Education in Northwestern University’s Masters in Higher Education program.

Dan’s roles at Michael Best include serving as one of the leaders of the Higher Education Group, as a past Chair of the Labor & Employment Relations Group, previously serving as a member of the Management Committee, and serving twice as the Managing Partner of the Chicago Office. After law school, Dan served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Charles L. Levin, Michigan Supreme Court.

Barbara A. Lee is Distinguished Professor of Human Resource Management at Rutgers University, where she has taught higher education law and employment law for over forty years. Professor Lee has served as Dean of the School of Management and Labor Relations, Associate Provost, and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. She is also Of Counsel to the law firm of Bond Schoeneck & King, where she practices higher education law and employment law.

Professor Lee has published over 100 books and articles, including The Law of Higher Education (2019 with W. Kaplin, N. Hutchens and J. Rooksby), Academics in Court: The Consequences of Faculty Discrimination Litigation (1987 with G. LaNoue), and numerous articles in law journals and human resource management journals. She serves as editor of The Journal of College & University Law and has received several awards for her scholarship and her service to the higher education community. Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Higher Education Administration and a J.D. from Georgetown University. She received her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Vermont.

Associate General Counsel
The Pennsylvania State University

Tamla J. Lewis is Associate General Counsel at The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Tamla served for three years as Associate Dean for Administration, Compliance and Special Initiatives for the University of Arkansas School of Law. Prior to her Law School tenure, Tamla served for ten years as an Associate General Counsel with the Office of General Counsel for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she was lead attorney on matters involving Title IX, Student Affairs, and campus safety, including Clery compliance. She conducted extensive trainings on student conduct and student records, contract compliance, and sexual assault awareness and prevention.

Tamla received a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law and an M.Ed. in Workforce Development Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, with a B.A. in English. During law school, Tamla served for two years as a Law Clerk in the University of Arkansas General Counsel’s office. Immediately after law school, she practiced as an Associate with the Rogers, Arkansas office of Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, where her practice focused on civil litigation, including employment and business litigation. Prior to law school, Tamla was employed as a paralegal by the Jefferson County, Arkansas, Public Defender’s Office and the Cross, Kearney & McKissic law firm in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Chair, Institutional Response Group
Cozen O’Connor

Gina Maisto Smith, Chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group, focuses her practice on the institutional response to sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, child abuse, and other forms of harassment, discrimination, and criminal conduct. Gina provides consulting, counseling, and legal advice on all aspects of the institutional response to misconduct. She assists institutions in designing effective institutional responses that integrate the complex federal and state regulatory framework with the unique dynamics of trauma and the impacts of interpersonal violence on individuals and communities. Gina regularly advises educational and child-serving institutions including public and private K-12 schools and colleges and universities about policies, changes in the law, and investigations into allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct, including sexual violence. She regularly conducts policy audits and assists in the development of policy and the design and implementation of internal operating procedures. In addition, Gina conducts training for K-12 administrators and multiple university constituencies, including Title IX coordinators, sexual assault response teams, judicial hearing boards, investigators, and members of the campus community. Before entering private practice, Gina spent nearly two decades in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where she investigated numerous cases, handled more than 100 jury trials, and developed unmatched experience in the investigation and prosecution of sex crimes, child abuse, and domestic violence.

Retired Higher Education Counsel

Steven J. McDonald is the recently retired General Counsel of Rhode Island School of Design and previously served as Associate Legal Counsel at The Ohio State University. Steve began his legal career at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, where he represented CompuServe in Cubby v. CompuServe, the first online libel case, and he also has taught courses in Internet law at Ohio State’s College of Law and at Capital University Law School. He is a Fellow and past member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, one of the developers of its NACUANOTES legal information service, and a recipient of its Distinguished Service and Life Member Awards. He presents and writes frequently on issues of higher education law. In State, ex rel. Thomas v. The Ohio State University, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that he really is a lawyer. He received his A.B. from Duke University and his J.D. from the Yale Law School.

Partner
Holland & Knight

Jeffrey J. Nolan is an education and labor and employment attorney with Holland & Knight who represents, advises, educates and helps clients throughout the United States manage conflicts, enhance the safety of individuals and environments, and successfully navigate the maze of legal obligations faced by educational institutions and employers. Mr. Nolan is based in Holland & Knight’s Boston office.

Mr. Nolan represents and advises colleges, universities and independent schools throughout the United States regarding situations that implicate Title IX, the Clery Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other laws that apply in the higher education context. He also conducts system-wide compliance assessments and helps clients develop Title IX/Clery Act and other policies, practices and training programs to minimize risk and enhance compliance with those laws. In 2022 and in 2018-19, Mr. Nolan served on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Title IX Working Group that prepared ACE’s comments to the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed 2022 and 2020 Title IX regulations, and his work on fair, equitable trauma-informed investigations was cited 8 times in the Preamble to the final Title IX regulations issued by the Department in May 2020. Mr. Nolan also advises higher educational institutions on the governance, faculty relations and related challenges that they face in the current economic and regulatory environment.

In the employment law area, Mr. Nolan assists employers in dealing with the full range of employee relations issues, advises them on how to comply with applicable employment laws, and helps them to create effective employment policies and training programs.

Mr. Nolan is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Vermont and Virginia, and practices in other jurisdictions as appropriate under state practice regulations.

CEO
NovakTalks

Kimberly Novak is the CEO of NovakTalks, a higher education consulting firm that specializes in facilitating the development of strategic prevention, intervention, and accountability initiatives. A foundational characteristic of her team’s our work is the involvement of students in the governance of their organizations. Additionally, she. serves on Pi Kappa Alpha’s Staff as the Health & Safety Officer. In this role she provides training and support specific to health and safety for chapter leadership, collegiate members, volunteers, and staff.

Kim is recognized as a thought-leader in Student Organization Conduct having worked in student conduct administration for over 25 years. She is frequently called up to educate campus professionals and international fraternity staffs on the design as well as implementation of organization conduct systems. In 2007 Kim lead the development of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Hazing Prevention, the first educational experience designed to apply the principles and framework for prevention to the issue of hazing. The Institute is now in its 15th year and continues to be the leading hazing prevention program in higher education.

Kim approaches her work with college students with the heart of an advocate and is committed to the advancement of communities of care on college campuses across the country.

Associate General Counsel
University of Vermont

Jennifer Papillo joined the University of Vermont Office of the General Counsel in August 2010 and was promoted to Associate General Counsel in July 2015. Jennifer represents, advises, and educates her clients to proactively identify and manage legal risk, enhance the safety, security, and well-being of individuals and the campus community, and successfully navigate the maze of legal and compliance obligations faced by a public land-grant and aspiring R1 institution with a global reach. Her representation of UVM includes practice across a broad range of legal issues, with particular emphasis on student and academic affairs, as well as risk management, campus safety, privacy, and regulatory compliance.

Jennifer is a frequent speaker and author on issues related to student conduct, managing distressed and disruptive students, student organizations, residential life, admissions practices, campus disruption, the First Amendment, political activities, Title IX, the Clery Act, FERPA, and the ADA, as well as taxation of exempt organizations. She has spoken at national and regional conferences of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA), as well as at the University of Vermont higher education legal issues conference. Jennifer is an active member of NACUA, a member of the UVM Legal Issues Board of Directors, and a contributor to the SUNY Title IX Joint Guidance Initiative.

Partner
Saul Ewing LLP

Amy Piccola is a partner in Saul Ewing LLP’s higher education practice. Amy works with institutions of higher education to assess and respond to issues of compliance, policy, and liability, particularly with regard to student and faculty conduct matters, Title IX and other civil rights statutes, and the Clery Act. Amy also advises education clients on athletics issues, including the developing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape and esports on campus.

Amy both provides proactive assistance—drafting handbooks and policies on issues ranging from sexual harassment and hazing to cyberbullying and program and department operations, and providing on-campus training to administrators, judicial boards, and others in university and college communities regarding implementation of those policies—and manages institutions’ responses to U.S. Department of Education and OCR investigations and complaints.

Whatever the issue, Amy draws on her litigation experience to assist colleges and universities in identifying escalating issues, managing high-profile exposure, and proactively developing, and providing training on, policies and procedures to minimize risk.

Partner
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP

Josh is a partner at the Philadelphia office of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, where he is the Vice-Chair of the firm’s Higher Education Practice, which has handled hundreds of matters involving Title IX and related issues for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. Josh approaches his Title IX work and other matters involving litigation, compliance and/or government investigations from a mission-driven perspective and strives to provide practical advice that protects institutions without compromising their ability to fulfill their primary purposes. Josh brings this approach to matters involving employment disputes, student conduct, faculty relations, board governance, financial
exigency, accreditation, minors on campus, and civil tort claims, including student death and abuse matters. In addition, he regularly conducts on-site training sessions for higher education clients regarding compliance with civil rights laws and the Clery Act. Josh is a graduate of Middlebury College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is currently nearing the end of a three-year term (FY 2019-2022) on the NACUA Board of Directors and is on the Legal Issues In Higher Education Advisory Board.

Chief Safety & Compliance Office
University of Vermont

Michael Schirling was appointed Chief Safety & Compliance Officer at the University of Vermont in June of 2022. In that role he oversees campus police, emergency management, risk and environmental risk management – including fire safety, and compliance and privacy services, He previously served as a member of Governor Phil Scott’s Cabinet as Commissioner of the Vermont Department Public Safety, overseeing the Vermont Crime Information Center, Vermont Emergency Management, the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, and the Vermont State Police, and as Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development which includes the Departments of Economic Development, Housing and Community Development, and Tourism and Marketing.

From 1989 to 2015 he held a variety of posts with the Burlington, VT Police Department, including serving as Chief of Police from 2008 through 2015. He has worked as a contractor conducting national and worldwide training for a host of organizations including the National District Attorney’s Association, Fair & Impartial Policing, LLC, and the U.S. State Department’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program Cyber Division and is an Executive Fellow for the National Police Foundation. He is an avid boater, scuba diver, and pilot. He resides in Burlington with his wife and has two grown children.

Attorney
Husch Blackwell LLP

Scott advises companies and educational institutions nationwide on a variety of complex legal issues with a focus on particularly sensitive matters. He is a prominent litigator as well as a sought-after advisor on Title IX, labor and employment law issues, and various risk management concerns. He has led numerous investigations of serial sex abuse allegations, allegations of misconduct involving senior leadership and other acts of institutional misconduct, as well as high-profile program reviews of institutional response.

Over the last decade, Scott has provided training nationally to thousands of personnel on a variety of issues, including Title IX; labor and employment law; faculty hiring, promotion and tenure processes; and Greek Life risk management. Scott regularly presents to national organizations, including the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the National Association of Independent Schools and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Scott is an award-winning professor at Tulane University and also serves on the faculty for the State University of New York’s Student Conduct Institute. In addition, Scott has been retained by the National Center for Campus Public Safety to serve as a faculty member for its Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication training program for campus officials.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Penn State University

Danny Shaha has served as an Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Student Affairs at Penn State University since 2017. As AVP, he provides functional supervision to the Directors of Student Affairs at Penn State’s 19 Commonwealth Campuses and supervises the offices of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response, Student Care and Advocacy, Fraternity and Sorority Compliance, Off Campus Student Support, Respondent Support, and Student Legal Services. He also co-chairs the University’s Behavioral Threat Management Team and holds responsibility for the University’s response to student-related crises.

Danny’s prior work includes roles in Student Conduct, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Title IX and Sexual Misconduct, Care and Advocacy, and Leadership Development at the College of William and Mary, Texas A&M, and The Ohio State University. He also served as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Danny is currently completing a fellowship researching free speech on college campuses and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern Mississippi. Danny received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Texas A&M University, his Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

Managing Director
Grand River Solutions

Jody Shipper is a Managing Director and Co-Founder of Grand River Solutions. Jody has more than 25 years of experience in Title IX, equity and diversity, and related fields. She is known for her insight into best-in-class programming, policies, and community outreach aimed at addressing sexual misconduct on campus. She lectures extensively at universities and conferences throughout the U.S. on Title IX, VAWA, harassment, DEI practices, and implementation of best and emerging practices. Jody also co-founded Project IX in 2014, a nonprofit focused on Title IX-related services to schools with a mission to provide effective solutions for preventing and responding to sexual violence.

Jody previously served as the systemwide director for Title IX/VAWA/Clery compliance for the University of California system. Prior to that, she served has held campus roles of chief Title IX administrator, Chief Diversity Officer, Director of Affirmative Action, and 504 Coordinator.  In these roles, she provided direct, hands-on experience in the fields of Title IX, civil rights, employment law, and workplace and academic investigations. Her responsibilities included focusing on diversity efforts, sexual assault prevention and training, affirmative action, and protecting minors on campus.

Previously, Jody served as outside counsel to businesses and nonprofits in California, litigating employment and education matters.

Dean of Students
Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Science

Dr. Bill Stackman is currently the Dean of Students at Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Science. He previously served for Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean at the University of Missouri, and for seven years as the Associate Vice President for Student Services Notre Dame University. Dr. Stackman has been working in student affairs for 40 years and has held leadership positions at a number of institutions, including Director of Student Activities at Texas A&M University, Dean of Student Affairs at Rhodes College, Associate and Acting Dean of Students at Oberlin College, Director of Student Activities/Mayer Campus Center at Tufts University, Associate Director of the Illini Union and Program Director at the University of Illinois, and Associate Director of Student Activities at Temple University.

Dr. Stackman earned his doctorate at Boston University in Leadership, Administration, and Policy Studies. He also holds a master’s degree from West Virginia University in Higher Education Administration, a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Parks and Recreation Administration, a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Positive Coaching, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in Parks and Recreation. He is currently completing a master’s degree from the University of Missouri in Social Work and plans to graduate in May. Dr. Stackman will be joining the Industrial-Organizational master’s degree program at Harvard University, June 2024 with an expected graduation date of December 2024.

Bill enjoys spending time with his children, Laurel and Reed, and his 2 years old Yellow lab, Mac. He loves to bike daily, run, hike, swim, and serve others as a positive coach.

Director of Consulting Services
Grand River Solutions

Andrea Stagg has extensive experience consulting, writing and training on Title IX, Equity and safety. Andrea was Deputy General Counsel and Director of Government Relations & Compliance at Barnard College and was counsel to three colleges within the SUNY system. She has worked with federal and state legislators to develop state laws and follow best practices in campus safety and sexual harassment prevention.

Senior Director
Compliance and Innovation Solutions

Joseph Storch is the Senior Director of Compliance and Innovation for Grand River Solutions. He develops guidance and builds systems to simplify compliance and improve response, so we can invest in prevention. A nationally recognized expert on Title IX, the Clery Act, and state laws covering violence and harassment, he twice testified before the U.S. Senate (Armed Services, 2019; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, 2016), drafted legislation and regulations including New York’s groundbreaking Education Law Article 129-b, and regularly provides guidance and analysis for national associations and institutions across the country. He is the author of over 80 articles and book chapters, regularly presents at conferences and on campuses, and has led development of innovations that are in use at institutions collectively serving millions of students. Joe is a graduate of SUNY Oswego, has a Masters of Public Policy from the University at Albany, and a law degree from Cornell Law School. He received the First Decade Award from NACUA, the Unsung Hero Award from the One Love Foundation, the Straight But Not Narrow Award from the Pride Center of the Capital Region, and was selected by City and State in 2020 as one of its 40 Under 40.

Vice President for Student Life
University of Washington

Dr. Denzil Suite, Vice President for Student Life, joined the University of Washington in July 2013. In that capacity, he provides leadership and direction for strategic planning, assessment, and staff development for a comprehensive division of student programs and services. He leads a team of approximately 1,000 professionals in creating and maintaining a healthy campus environment through services, programs, and innovative learning experiences beyond the classroom, and through a highly collaborative relationship with other senior UW leaders.

Prior to joining UW, he served as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Southern California where he had oversight responsibilities for over 20 departments in the division. He also served and as an Associate Professor for Clinical Education at the USC Rossier School of Education. He taught master’s level courses on Student Development, the History of Higher Education, and on Intervention Strategies.

Suite earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in Education from the University of Vermont, and a Ph.D. in Policy and Organization from the University of Southern California. His research for his doctorate centered on factors affecting student success in college. He is especially interested in how students from differing backgrounds are affected by the college environment. He chose this topic because of his long-standing commitment to college students and their success.

Dr. Suite has worked professionally in student affairs for over 20 years and has held positions of responsibility at UC Berkeley, Cal State L.A., and UC Santa Cruz. He is the recipient of numerous awards from national, local, and student organizations.

He recently served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for NASPA—the world’s leading association for Student Affairs professionals.

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Conference attendance, breakfast (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), lunch (Monday, Tuesday), networking opportunity, and shuttle to and from your hotel.

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