Director, Equal Opportunity and Access and Title IX Coordinator

- Employer
- Illinois State University
- Location
- Normal, IL
- Starts
- Closes
Director, Equal Opportunity and Access and Title IX Coordinator
Position Description
The Director of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) and Title IX Coordinator serves as a senior administrative official responsible for University-wide programs, policies, and procedures designed to ensure equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination and equal access, and oversight of affirmative action reporting. The Director serves as an advisor to the President, conducts special projects and studies, and represents the President's positions and directives on issues of discrimination, harassment, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and access.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leads the OEOA, supervises staff of investigators and other office personnel and oversees case management for the office;
- Serves as the University Title IX Coordinator and oversees all aspects of University, agency, state, and federal law including but not limited to Title IX and Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act;
- Oversees a University-wide program to prevent, detect, and respond to violations of University policy and applicable law related to anti-harassment and non-discrimination;
- Oversees enforcement and reporting related to anti-harassment and non-discrimination statutes;
- Oversees OEOA investigations of alleged discrimination and harassment; advises individuals on the complaint process, available resources, and interim measures; plans the investigation processes, conducts interviews, identifies, and collects relevant documentation, analyzes evidence, drafts investigation reports, issues findings and determinations, recommends remedial action and maintains accurate and complete investigative files;
- Oversees process for determining employee ADA accommodations and consults upon request on student ADA accommodations;
- Develops periodic updates to University ADA policies and procedures;
- Serves as an advisor to the President, conducts special projects and studies, and represents the President's positions and directives on issues of discrimination, harassment, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and access, while also serving as an advisor to other campus partners;
- Develops and facilitates training programs to the University community related to the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, the Rehabilitation Act, Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, and any other applicable nondiscrimination statutes and regulations;
- Manages all aspects of federal Affirmative Action requirements including the development and implementation of the University's annual Affirmative Action Plan, and develops metrics, audit protocols and controls to measure compliance;
- Collaborates with Human Resources on affirmative action recruiting and outreach strategies for vacancies, particularly for underutilized positions/groups. Assists with the development and implementation of effective training programs for individuals involved in recruitment activities;
- Disseminates information to University employees about the EEO/AA program and identifies and develops relationships with key entities with a focus on creating a more diverse employee population;
- Proficient in integrating data and effectively communicate essential information;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Master's, Doctorate, or Juris Doctorate degree;
- Five (5) or more years of experience interpreting and applying internal policies and state and federal nondiscrimination law including but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act and Title IX;
- Five (5) or more years of experience investigating formal and informal complaints of sexual harassment, harassment, retaliation, and discrimination;
- Three (3) or more years of experience complying with the reporting requirements of external agencies in areas such as affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment/violence, and the Clery Act;
- Knowledge of the statistical analysis used in workforce analytics and reporting;
- Three (3) or more years of progressive supervisory experience including excellent leadership, planning, organizational and managerial skills, and proven ability to perform as a team player;
- Demonstrated awareness of the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion, and support for a diverse and welcoming environment;
- Demonstrated ability to assess campus-wide training needs, and develop and implement educational programing for faculty, staff, and students relating to diversity, inclusion, and civil rights compliance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Law Degree from an accredited law school or advanced degree in a relevant field;
- Prior experience leading an AA/EEO office;
- Prior experience working in higher education;
- Experience reviewing and drafting policy and procedure documents relating to state and federal nondiscrimination laws;
- Work experience related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or similar state and federal standards (e.g., Standards of Accessible Design).
About Illinois State University
Established in 1857 as a teacher education institution and as the first public institution of higher education in the state, Illinois State is now a multipurpose university with degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Seven colleges offer approximately 174 undergraduate majors, 97 master’s programs, 17 doctoral degrees, and 40 certificate options. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By applying these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Illinois State’s students appreciate the average 19:1 student-faculty ratio. Professors teach in the classroom, mentor, and partner with both undergraduates and graduates in research endeavors. Within the faculty, 98 percent hold a terminal degree in their field. The University’s retention rate is among the highest in the nation at nearly 81.30 percent and graduation rates are more than 66 percent, well above the national average.
Illinois State affirms and encourages community belonging and a respect for differences, fostering an inclusive environment characterized by cultural understanding and engagement, ethical behavior, and a commitment to social justice. The University supports a diverse faculty and staff who mentor a diverse student population. The institution strives to provide opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to participate productively in a global society and be civically engaged.
Community
Illinois State University is located in the twin cities of Bloomington-NormalWith a population of approximately 172,000, the community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, along with its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington-Normal is located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield, many of which are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information, visit visitbn.org.
Metrics of Excellence
- First-choice Institution: Illinois State has welcomed our largest freshman class in 36 years. We enroll more than 20,900 students, while maintaining academic quality and small class sizes.
- Bang for the Buck: Illinois State is ranked among the top universities for return on investment. U.S. News & World Report recognized the University as one of the Best Value Schools in the nation, and Washington Monthly included the University on the Best Bang for the Buck list in the Midwest. In addition, the University was also ranked among the top 30 percent of four-year higher education institutions for graduates’ return on investment.
- High Retention and Graduation Rates: Illinois State students complete their degrees on time. ISU’s retention rate remains among the highest in the nation at over 81.3 percent, and our high graduation rate (66.3 percent) is well above the national average.
- Top Public University: Washington Monthly ranked the University in the top 106 out of all public national universities for the institution's contribution to the public good through social mobility, research, and public services. Illinois State made U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankings of America's top public schools, at No. 112. In addition, the University was ranked in the upper echelon of Money’s 2024 list of Best Colleges in America for quality education and affordability.
- Diverse Campus: Illinois State provides accessible opportunity and increasingly reflects the nation's changing demographics. We enrolled our most diverse freshman class in school history this year with 41 percent of these students and nearly 32 percent of the total student population coming from traditionally underrepresented groups
- Top College Town: The University’s hometown ranks as one of the top 3 best college towns in America based on its affordability and safety, while its entertainment scene, community, and quality of life are listed as reasons it also ranks as one of the Best Places to Live in the United States.
- Military Friendly School: Illinois State supports veterans and those in the military. We are ranked a top 10 Military Friendly School by VIQTORY.
- Civically Engaged Campus: Illinois State’s campus wide commitment to our core value of civic engagement has earned us recognition with the Elective Classification for Community Engagement, as an Excellence and Innovation Award for Civic Learning and Community Engagement recipient, and as a Voter Friendly Campus.
Academics
Illinois State University is comprised of seven academic colleges and Milner Library, each of which contains academic departments and centers designed to provide a comprehensive and robust academic experience for students. Degrees are offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Secondary education students major in their academic disciplines while completing their teacher preparation requirements under the auspices of the Council for Teacher Education. The University’s academic programs are supported by the services and collections of Milner Library.
College of Applied Sciences and Technology houses the Departments and Schools of Agriculture, Criminal Justice, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Kinesiology and Recreation, Military Science, and Technology. The college also includes the University Farm; the Center for Civic Engagement; and Gamma Phi Circus, the nation’s oldest collegiate circus.
College of Arts and Sciences houses 16 departments and offers many majors and minors at the undergraduate level. Some of these programs are interdisciplinary, including African American Studies, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Latin American and Latina/o Studies. Many departments have graduate programs leading to master’s and doctoral degrees. The college houses many of Illinois State’s study abroad opportunities, the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies, and the University’s radio station WGLT.
College of Business is known for its comprehensive undergraduate programs and its highly rated MBA program. It is one of only 188 business schools in the world to have both business and accounting accreditation by AACSB International.
College of Engineering anticipates enrolling its first cohort of students in Fall 2025 with an initial offering of electrical, mechanical, and general engineering degree programs. The college will be uniquely designed with a vision of student success, diversity, and workforce development.
College of Education partners with departments across the University to offer teacher education programs in a variety of academic programs and areas of study. With 44 accredited teacher education programs and offerings at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, Illinois State remains true to its founding as Illinois State Normal University, specializing in teacher education. The College of Education is also home to Thomas Metcalf and University High School Laboratory Schools serving approximately 1,000 students.
Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts includes the Wonsook Kim School of Art, the School of Music, the School of Theatre and Dance, and the Program in Creative Technologies. University Galleries and Illinois Shakespeare Festival are also housed within the college.
Mennonite College of Nursing offers nursing degrees at the bachelor’s and doctoral levels. Building on the rich history of nursing education at Mennonite College, established in 1919, the College of Nursing was incorporated into the University in 1999 as Illinois State’s sixth academic college. The college’s NCLEX and FNP pass rates consistently exceed state and national averages and it offers a state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation Lab with diverse clinical placements that prepare students to practice in a complex healthcare system.
Milner Library staff and subject librarians work closely with academic units to provide learning and research materials across the academic spectrum. Group study areas, quiet floors, collaboration stations, and a technology-rich environment support varied student learning styles.
Leadership
Working under the supervision of the President this position oversees the University's program to prevent, detect, and respond appropriately to complaints of harassment and discrimination in violation of University policy and applicable state and federal law including the Civil Rights Act, ADA, Title IX, and Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act.
Dr. Andover Tarhule, President
Dr. Andover Tarhule is Illinois State University’s 31st president. He joined Illinois State University in 2020 as vice president for academic affairs and provost. He previously served as vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at Binghamton University (State University of New York) and was executive associate dean and department chair in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. Having earned master's degrees and a doctoral degree in geography from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Tarhule received a postdoctoral fellowship from the Canadian Science Advisory Council to conduct research at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Tarhule earned an additional master’s degree in environmental resources planning and a bachelor’s degree in geography, both from the University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
A broadly trained physical geographer, Tarhule has wide-ranging research interests in hydroclimatic variability, droughts, water resources scarcity, and climate information dissemination and use. His scholarly research has appeared in prestigious international journals, including Nature, Journal of Hydrology, Remote Sensing, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, and book chapters. His efforts as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI have resulted in more than $5 million in grants from such agencies as the National Science Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the National Institute of Health, and the United States Geological Survey.
Tarhule has served on committees of prominent national and international organizations, including as consultant to the World Bank (Climate Risk Assessment of the Niger River Basin Sustainable Development Action Plan) and member of the Executive Committee of the Board on Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate, and Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. He is a member of the College of Mentors of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and an Executive Board Member of the Walker Institute, University of Reading, in England.
Dr. Ani Yazedjian, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Dr. Ani Yazedjian, University Professor, joined the Office of the Provost in 2019 as associate provost and was named vice president for academic affairs and provost in spring 2024. As acting provost, Yazedjian established and revived professional development opportunities for academic leaders, implemented initiatives to support faculty research and creativity activity, provided leadership in the development of a framework for online learning and micro-credentials, convened the interdivisional Committee on Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence, shepherded new program development processes, allocated additional funding for student support services, and overseen the completion of the self-study for the accreditation process of the Higher Learning Commission that is currently underway.
Yazedjian previously served as chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State. As chair, she led the increase in the number of degree programs in the department, developed the first accelerated master’s degree programs on campus, created a new online dietetic internship certificate, increased student enrollment, oversaw over $1 million in equipment and facilities upgrades, and secured donor contributions for five new scholarships.
Over the last two decades, Yazedjian has received over $7 million to support her scholarly interests in delivering evidence-based programs to support adolescent development. Most recently, between 2015 and 2020, she directed the CARE4U program which provided over 1,100 primarily Black and Hispanic youth with relationship education, job readiness and financial management skills in order to support their successful transition to adulthood. In 2021, she received the Marie F. Peters Award from the National Council on Family Relations, a biennial recognition given to a distinguished scholar, researcher, or practitioner who has made significant contributions to the area of racial and ethnic diversity in families.
Prior to her time at Illinois State, Yazedjian was a faculty member in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University. She earned a doctorate and master’s degree in human and community development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Florida.
Nomination and Application Process
The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For additional information, please contact:
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Erin Raines, Senior Principal
Scott Gaffney, Executive Recruiting Coordinator
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-804-1996 ext.: 117
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || eraines@parkersearch.com || sgaffney@parkersearch.com
An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.