She is a collaborator, a builder and a bridge maker. “Fantastic,” Roberson said, describing Ford, “She was such a bright light for our campus community. Roberson also described her as a force on campus who was able to be collaborative across campus with not just students but the faculty as well. She was and still is a staunch advocate for students here on campus. Ford was able to elevate the Title IX office in a way that was not before her time due to her extensive knowledge of the campus community and her multifacetedness, according to Roberson. Her experience working in a variety of positions on campus provided her with an in-depth understanding of the college’s inner workings.

Both deputy coordinators declined to comment on the change of leadership.ĭuring her time at the college, Ford has brought a unique leadership style to the Title IX Office. This collaborative team is overseen by Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Heather Moore Roberson. The team works to ensure an equitable system for both parties involved in a Title IX case, making sure both parties are supported and have the resources they need to still be successful in college while going through the investigation process. For 15 years Ford was an executive director at the women’s shelter, a local non-profit organization that provides services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.Īs Title IX coordinator, Ford worked with a collaborative team, including two deputy coordinators - Assistant Director of Human Resources Mark Kohnen and Head Women’s Soccer Coach Lacey Phillips. “The reason why I did that (became the Title IX coordinator) is that, at that time, sexual assault on college campuses was a huge issue nationwide,” Ford said. From the chief of staff position, she then became the Title IX coordinator. Ford had many other positions, including but not limited to being a member of the Board of Relations, dean of students and chief of staff in the President’s Office. She started in a fundraising role before transitioning to be a liaison for the President’s Office. For more information on Title IX visit /titleix/.įord has been with Allegheny for over 15 years in a variety of different capacities. Allegheny’s policy expands on Title IX by explicitly prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, color and age.

Title IX protects against sexual harassment and the failure to provide both equal athletic and academic opportunities. Title IX is a federal law under the Education Amendments of 1972 which states that no person shall be discriminated against based on sex. “My husband had an employment opportunity out-of-state and we took advantage of that,” Ford said, “It’s just one of those opportunities we couldn’t pass up and it’s a good time in our personal lives to make a change.”įord will be staying on as interim Title IX coordinator in a virtual capacity until the Title IX coordinator position is filled. The date Ford will be officially resigning remains undetermined. Gillian Ford, the previous Title IX coordinator, is stepping down to interim Title IX coordinator as Allegheny College looks for a new person to fill her shoes in the 2023-24 school year.

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