The Title IX Grievance Pool, Decision-Maker Pool, and Appeal Decision-Maker Pools are made up of University employees (both faculty and staff) who are specially trained to serve in these pools. Members of the Grievance Pool can serve as both investigators and advisors. Their role is formally outlined in the Policy. The chief diversity officer & senior Title IX administrator and the Title IX co-coordinators, with approval from the president, select the members of the pools.
Pool Members
The following individuals will serve as pool members for the 2023-2024 academic year:
Dawn Adams - Asst. Dean of Students and Director of International Student Services
Jody Bryan – Director of Academic Support
Dr. Mandy Capel – Director of Graduate Programs, School of Education; Professor, M.Ed. Education
Marci Craig – Director of Human Resources
Shawnta Forester – Director of Student Diversity Programs
Alexis Hedrick - Director of Student Accessibility Services
Crystal Johnson - Prospect Research Manager
Nathaniel LaRiccia – Director of Athletic Communications
Marci Muckleroy – Director, Center for Student Success
Matthew Parnell - Director, Recreation and Wellness Services
Lynn Riggle - WRMU Coordinator and Box Office Manager
Caitie Scott – Director of the Mount Union Fund
Sara Sherer – Director of Residence Life
Lee Smith – Director of Physical Plant
Randolph Smith – Associate Director of Enrollment Services
Kelly Stout – Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Casey Tonn – Director of Student Involvement and Leadership
Andrea Williams – Assistant Clinical & Academic Coordinator, Physical Therapy
Decision-Makers
Dr. Bryan Boatright - Interim Co-Vice President for Academic Affairs and Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs and University Registrar
Sara Sherer – Director of Residence Life
Dr. Heather Duda – Founding Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities
Dr. Sandy Madar - Interim Co-Vice President for Academic Affairs & Founding Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences
Max Sullivan – Director of Student Conduct
Appeal Decision-Makers
Logan Aguiniga – Vice President, University Advancement
Caitlin Clark – Vice President, Enrollment Management
John Frazier – Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students
Melissa Gardner - Vice President, Marketing
Patrick Heddleston - Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Training Information
Training Topics
Members of the Title IX Pools receive regular training on the following topics:
The scope of the University of Mount Union’s interim policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination and Procedures
How to conduct investigations and hearings that protect the safety of Complainants and Respondents, and promote accountability
Implicit bias
Disparate treatment and impact
Reporting, confidentiality, and privacy requirements
Applicable laws, regulations, and federal regulatory guidance
How to implement appropriate and situation-specific remedies
How to investigate in a thorough, reliable, and impartial manner
How to uphold fairness, equity, and due process
How to weigh evidence
How to conduct questioning
How to assess credibility
Impartiality and objectivity
How to render findings and generate clear, concise, evidence-based rationales
The definitions of all offenses
How to apply definitions used by the University of Mount Union with respect to consent (or the absence or negation of consent) consistently, impartially, and in accordance with policy
How to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes
How to serve impartially by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias
Any technology to be used at a live hearing
Issues of relevance of questions and evidence
Issues of relevance to create an investigation report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence
How to determine appropriate sanctions in reference to all forms of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation allegations
Recordkeeping
Specific training is also provided for Appeal Decision-Makers, intake personnel, Advisors (who are University of Mount Union employees), and Decision-Makers. All Pool members are required to attend these trainings annually.
At the discretion of the Title IX Coordinators, the University may also retain external contractors to serve as pool members.
Training Materials
The materials used to train Title IX Officers will be posted here as training is completed, which will occur annually during the Fall Semester. Additional training may occur throughout the year to ensure that all pool members are appropriately trained.
When a situation involving sexual misconduct has occurred, there are many decisions a person must make both immediately following and during her/his recovery from such a personal violation. The University of Mount Union provides services that can assist the student with this process; the Sexual Misconduct Responder Program is designed for this purpose. More information or a list of current responders, visit the Sexual Misconduct Responder Program page.