The University of Lynchburg has hired Margaret A. Pierre as director of Title IX compliance and equal opportunity officer. Pierre is a contract attorney with extensive experience at corporate and governmental organizations, including the Department of Veteran Affairs, and in higher education. She will begin her duties on July 15.
“It’s an honor to have been selected to serve the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Lynchburg,” Pierre said. “I’m committed to providing a learning, living, and working environment for our University community that is free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. I’m truly humbled to be a part of Lynchburg’s tradition of commitment to equity in academics and athletics.”
The position is not entirely new, said President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, but it’s reimagined to follow higher education standards and guidelines, making it more inclusive and effective.
“Title IX and equal opportunity are crucial to the success and health of any institution,” Morrison-Shetlar said. “It is imperative that we support our students, faculty, and staff with equitable legal advice, resources, and compassion.
“Upon consulting with our Title IX and equal opportunity community, and taking a closer look at current guidelines for higher education institutions, we found that we needed to broaden the scope of the previous Title IX coordinator position to better serve our Lynchburg family.”
In her new role, Pierre will report to the president and have authority across all campus-based divisions and programs. She’ll coordinate the University’s compliance efforts concerning discrimination in University programs and activities, including compliance with Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Campus SaVE Act, as incorporated into the Clery Act, and related state and federal laws.
As the University’s Title IX coordinator, Pierre will oversee compliance with Title IX, including sexual harassment policies and gender equity in all programs and activities. As the University’s equal opportunity officer, Pierre will ensure compliance with Title VII employment discrimination laws. She’ll serve as the University’s content expert on Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX requirements and compliance and provide consultation to senior administrators.
Pierre has worked in higher education for the past five years, serving as Title IX coordinator/investigator and mediator at Delaware State University, as Title IX hearing officer at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, as Title IX sexual misconduct advisor at Ohio University, and as director of equity and disability, Title IX coordinator, and ADA/504 administrator at Northwest Missouri State University.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Dillard University in New Orleans and a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“Margaret has rich, varied experience in higher education and beyond, and she is an excellent fit for our campus community to ensure we are a safe and welcoming place for all students, faculty, and staff,” Morrison-Shetlar said.
“I would also like to recognize and thank Amanda McGovern for her excellent service as Title IX coordinator for the past 6 years. She has ensured the success of our students, faculty, staff, and institution as a whole.
“The last few years have not been easy to be in that position, and Amanda has served the University with poise and integrity. I look forward to Amanda continuing to serve the University in her role as coordinator of special projects, working out of the Office of the President.”
