The Office of Title IX Compliance Staff
Josh Cutchens
Interim Director of Title IX Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
cutchensjb@appstate.edu | he/him/his
Josh Cutchens is responsible for overseeing institutional compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, and other federal and state laws and mandates. The Coordinator provides leadership and support to all institutional Title IX efforts including, but not limited to, policy and procedure development and maintenance, investigation oversight, federal and state compliance, prevention, training, and response management.
Josh joined the Office of Title IX Compliance in the spring of 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Florida, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of South Florida, and is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Appalachian State University. Josh comes to the Office of Title IX Compliance from the Appalachian State University Office of the Dean of Students where he served as the Associate Director in the Office of Student Conduct.
Kelli Matar
Report and Response Coordinator
matarkh@appstate.edu | she/her/hers
Kelli serves as the first point of contact for students and employees who have concerns regarding incidents of Title IX and Sex/Gender-Based Misconduct and ensures individuals are aware of their options for access to support, resources, and reporting processes. Kelli works closely with the Title IX team to assist with the implementation of supportive interim measures including but not limited to academics, housing, transportation, and safety support options. Kelli contributes to the team's compliance efforts by providing regular, ongoing Title IX training for members of the campus community.
Kelli joined the Office of Title IX Compliance in the Summer of 2022. Kelli is a proud two-time AppState alum and a holds a Bachelor of Science in Pscyhology and Master of Arts in Higher Education Teaching. Prior to joining the Title IX team, Kelli served as a counselor in the addiction treatment field and was most recently a member of the Case Management team housed within the Office of the Dean of Students at Appalachian.
Grace Frazier
Case Coordinator
frazierge@appstate.edu |
The Case Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Director of Title IX Compliance / Title IX Coordinator with managing the tracking and resolution of all complaints from the beginning to the end of each documented incident. Grace conducts research and coordinates data collection and reporting processes to ensure departmental and campus-wide compliance with system-, state-, and nation-wide policies, mandates, and laws. Grace works in conjunction with the Civil Rights Investigators on Title IX cases, and provides case management and administrative support in all areas. Grace is also responsible for serving as the Hearing Facilitator for hearings, as well as training and conducting meetings with all parties involved in hearings.
Grace joined the Office of Title IX Compliance in the Summer of 2022. Grace earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree from Appalachian State University in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Prior to this, Grace has done macro-level social work with multiple advocacy organizations, including Equality NC, as well as public school systems and community libraries.
Anita McGowan
Civil Rights Investigator
mcgowanak1@appstate.edu | she/her/hers
Anita conducts neutral fact-finidng investigations into allegations of discrimination and harassment involving students, staff, or administrators, pursuant to federal legislation and guidelines. Such allegations may encompass all claims of discrimination, sexual assault, dating/domestic violance, stalking, or the creation of a hostile environment for another. At the close of each investigation, Anita prepares an investigative report that becomes the basis for further University action.
Anita joined the Office of Title IX in July 2021, after serving as a paralegal in the Office of General Counsel since February 2009. Before that, she worked in a corporate law office after transitioning here career from law enforcement. Anita served as a sworn law enforcement officer in South Carolina and is an Army veteran who served as a Special Agent with U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command. Anita received her Bachelor of Business Adminstration (summa cum laude) from Catawba College and a Master of Arts in Higher Education-University Leadership at Appalachian. Anita serves on the Athletics Council, co-chairs the Diversitry, Equity & inclusion subcommittee, and is a member of the Association of Title IX Administrators, the Association of Student Conduct Adminstrators, and the North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division. She maintains her professional membership and volunteers in the community.
Maury Bowen
Civil Rights Investigator
bowenm1@appstate.edu | she/they
Maury conducts neutral fact-finding investigations into allegations of sexual discrimination, harassment, or assault involving students, faculty, staff, or administrators pursuant to federal legislation and guidelines. Such allegations may encompass sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, or the creation of a hostile environment for another based upon that person’s gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. At the close of each investigation, Maury prepares an investigative report that becomes the basis for further University action in compliance with Title IX.
Prior to joining the Office of Title IX in August of 2022, Maury practiced law with a focus on Civil Rights in the employment setting. Maury has been licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia since 1994 and has represented both claimants and respondents in Federal Court involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. In addition, Maury has two decades of experience conducting internal investigations as well as developing and delivering harassment/discrimination prevention training programs. Maury graduated from Sewanee (The University of the South in Tennessee) and The University of Georgia School of Law.
Elvis Kennison
Administrative Support Associate
kennisonec@appstate.edu | he/him/his
Elvis serves as receptionist/customer service support. He prepares budgets, reconciles purchasing cards, and reconciliations. Prepares travel authorization and reimbursement requests and maintains office supplies. He manages the work-order process. He maintains the Office of Title IX Compliance website; compiles records, and organizes and maintains files. He also works on designing OTC brochures and maintaining office bulletin boards
Elvis joined the Office of Title IX Compliance in October 17, 2022. Elvis has worked with the Department of Social Services for 8 years in Rutherford County North Carolina. He assisted with billing and data entry in the foster care and adoption department. He has worked with a non-profit organization that assisted individuals with a disability in assisting them with employment opportunities in the community and provided on-the-job training. He also worked with transitioning high school students into the workforce.
Deputy Title IX Coordinators
Darron Daniels
Director of Student Affairs and Emergency Management/Deputy Title IX Coordinator at the Academy at Middle Fork
danielsdl1@appstate.edu | he/him/his
Darron Daniels, Jr. is the Director of Student Affairs and Emergency Management at the Academy at Middle Fork. He has worked at Middle Fork since 2017 and serves as a member of the Academy’s administrative team, where he works to manage the school’s positive behavior intervention support system (H.I.K.E), climate and culture, restorative practices, and emergency response protocols.
Darron graduated from Elon University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Communications with a concentration in Criminal Justice Studies. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Media from Appalachian State in 2021.
Gillian Hill
Assistant Principal for Instruction at the Academy at Elkin/ Deputy Title IX Coordinator
hillgd1@appstate.edu |
Gillian Hill is the Assistant Principal for Instruction at the Academy at Elkin. She began serving the Academy in August 2022, and provides instructional coaching to faculty and staff, manages the school's positive behavior intervention support system (H.I.K.E), climate and culture, restorative practices, and is the school testing coordinator. Gillian Hill is the Assistant Principal for Instruction at the Academy at Elkin. She began serving the Academy in August 2022, and provides instructional coaching to faculty and staff, manages the school's positive behavior intervention support system (H.I.K.E), climate and culture, restorative practices, and is the school testing coordinator.
Gilly graduated from Appalachian State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and a Master of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to working at the Academy, Gilly worked as a teacher and teacher leader with the Guilford County School District.
Angie Miller
Deputy Human Resources Director
millerad@appstate.edu
As Deputy HR Director, Angie oversees Employee Relations, Benefits, and Leave Management. In addition to her HR work, she is a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, who works in collaboration with the Office of Title IX Compliance involving all reported incidents of alleged sexual misconduct involving EHRA and SHRA non-faculty employees, to assist with the initial assessment of the reported incident(s) and to help with the resolution of the reported incident(s). Angie works with the OTC to coordinate supportive measures for the involved parties (Complainant / Respondent), decisions involving placing employees on administrative/investigatory leave, and ensuring informal or formal grievance procedures are followed in compliance with ASU and State policy and procedures.
Erika Cheung
Senior Associate Athletics Director / Senior Woman Administrator
cheungee@appstate.edu |
The Senior Associate AD/SWA serves on the Athletic department’s executive leadership team and is responsible for overseeing various areas of the department, including multiple sports, student-athlete support, and human resources. The Senior Associate AD/SWA also serves as the department’s liaison to the Chancellor’s office and works closely with the Office of Title IX Compliance, general counsel, student affairs, and other campus groups.
As a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, the Senior Associate AD/SWA works in collaboration with the Office of Title IX Compliance (OTC) to ensure compliance with Title IX by monitoring the athletics department's efforts for gender equity in athletic opportunities to all student-athletes. The Senior Associate AD/SWA also collaborates with OTC to coordinate training regarding Title IX to all student-athletes and athletic staff. The Senior Associate AD/SWA serves as a point of contact for reporting incidents of Title IX and Sex/Gender-Based related incidents in athletics and ensures all those incidents are reported to OTC.
Erika came to Boone from the University of Louisiana, Monroe, where she served as the Assistant Athletic Director of NCAA Compliance and the Senior Woman Administrator for ULM Athletics. Prior to her arrival at ULM, Erika was the Associate Director of NCAA Compliance at Tulane University in New Orleans. Erika is a graduate of Tulane Law School, where she earned her Sports Law Certificate, after graduating from the University of Texas with her Bachelors in Political Communication and a Business Foundations Certificate. Erika is a former softball athlete and is originally from Mission Viejo, California.
Alicia Vest
Interim Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct
vestad@appstate.edu
As a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct works in collaboration with the Office of Title IX Compliance (OTC) to ensure compliance with Title IX by assisting with the reporting of all student Title IX and Sex/Gender-Based Misconduct incidents. As a key member of the Title IX Team the Assistant Dean determines sanctions and/or remedies when a student Respondent is found responsible for violating Policy 112.
Title IX Liaisons
Maranda Maxey
Director of the Office of Disability Resources/ADA Coordinator
maxeymr@appstate.edu
As the ADA/504 Coordinator and Director for the Office of Disability Resources (ODR), Maranda Maxey is responsible for the oversight of institutional compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other relevant federal and state laws pertaining to individuals with disabilities. The Office of Disability Resources is the designated office to assist eligible students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities by determining access needs and coordinating academic adjustments or workplace accommodations. As a Title IX Liaison, Maranda is the point of contact for the Office of Title IX Compliance related to any requests for disability resources and providing accommodations determined appropriate by ODR.
Bill McGowan
Clery Act Compliance Coordinator
mcgowanwj1@appstate.edu
Bill McGowan is ASU's Clery Act Compliance Coordinator. He is responsible for publishing the University's Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report and Annual DAAPP Report. As a Title IX Liaison, Bill collaborates with the Office of Title IX Compliance to ensure all Title IX / Sexual Misconduct incidents reported to ASUPD are promptly reported to OTC. Bill ensures all campus community crimes are accurately reported and published in the Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report. Bill McGowan is part of the Appalachian State University Police Department team. Bill assists with the implementation of timely warnings for the campus community whenever a safety concern is detected and ensures Campus Security Authorities (CSA) receive annual training.
Kyra Patel
Coordinator for Student Social Wellness
patelk@appstate.edu |she/her/hers
Kyra Patel currently serves as the Coordinator for Student Social Wellness within the Department of Wellness Prevention Services. As a Title IX Liaison, Kyra works to develop and implement peer education-based interpersonal violence prevention initiatives. Kyra serves as the advisor for the Red Flag Campaign, an IPV peer education group. Kyra collaborates with Title IX with the development of new online modules as well as serves as a referral resource for students with the goal of connecting them to the appropriate support resource. Additionally, Kyra conducts sexual health consultations with students to address any questions/concerns they may have about their sexual wellbeing.
Lamont Sellers
Director of the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs
sellersla@appstate.edu |he/his/his
Lamont Sellers joined App State in July 2020, having served as Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Deputy at the University of South Dakota. As director of Intercultural Student Affairs (ISA), he has oversight of the Multicultural Center, Women's Center, and Henderson Springs LGBTIA+ Center. ISA and the Tri-Centers work to address the needs of students representing minoritized and marginalized communities with strategic programming and services. These four areas also provide education, resources, and engagement opportunities for students from majority backgrounds.
Sellers is committed to elevating student voices from minoritized and marginalized identities that may have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and other disruptive behaviors. Through collaboration, programming, education, and individualized interactions, Sellers hopes to help students understand their rights and be empowered to take action.
Jamie Anderson-Parson, J.D.
Chief Diversity Officer
andersonja2@appstate.edu |she/her/hers
As chief diversity officer, Jamie advises the chancellor on diversity matters and is the lead implementer for the university's strategic plan. She leads the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team, the Chief Diversity Officer’s Advisory Board, and the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board for Diversity Recruitment. Jamie collaborates with students, faculty, and staff regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as leading training efforts. As a Title IX liaison, she is responsible for leading diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts related to Title IX.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology-anthropology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Shaleeah Smith
Associate Director of Campus Activities
smithsr12@appstate.edu |
Shaleeah serves as the Associate Director of Campus Activities. In her role, she oversees the fraternity and sorority life community. In her role, she provides resources and education to fraternity and sorority members on topics such as Title IX to reduce and prevent harm in the community.
Karen Binger Marshall
Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services and Outreach
marshallkb@appstate.edu
Karen Binger Marshall has served as Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services and Outreach within the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) since 2015. She spends much of her time advising international students and scholars at Appalachian with immigration, cultural, social, and other non-academic matters; and as well as coordinating support services and events for this group. Karen loves working with our international student population, which usually consists of over 100 students representing 40-50 countries around the world.
Shanshan Lou
Associate Professor in the Department of Communication
lous@appstate.edu | she/her/hers
Shanshan teaches mainly in the advertising area. Her research interests center on cross-cultural advertising and the effects of media technologies on audiences' attitudes and behaviors. She has conducted research in global advertising with international clients and academic colleagues. Shanshan served as an advisor for the App State Advertising club for 6 years and served as the 2022 UNC System Faculty Fellow.
Shanshan is actively in the professional fields. She received the Scripps Howard Foundation Visiting Professor in Media Ad Sales grant and was awarded a fellowship from Advertising Educational Foundation. Shanshan has received teaching excellence awards from the College of Fine and Applied Arts at App State and from the Southern States Communication Association. Her recent professional services focus on DEI in the advertising industry and bridging the talent disconnect between the industry and aceademia. For example, Shanshan organizes the pre-conference as the Teaching and Pedagogy Chair in the Advertising Division of the Association for Educationin Journalism and Mass Communication. She has been collaborating with Publicis Media on their Multicultral Talent Pipeline initiatives since 2016 and providing job and internship opportunities for underrepresented students at App State.
Marian Williams
Professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies
Marian's research explores the pretrial detention and legal representation of criminal defendants and the use of civil assest forfeiture by police agencies. Her scholarly works on these topics have been published in top journals in her field and have been cited in policy debates by state and federal lawmakers, in state court decisions, and in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. During her tenure at Appalachian State, Marian has taught classes on Constitutional law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Civil Rights and Liberties..