Baylor University Appoints New Title IX Coordinator
Media Contact: Tonya Lewis, 254-710-1961
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WACO, Texas (Oct. 5, 2016) – Baylor University Interim President David E. Garland has announced the appointment of Kristan Tucker as Baylor’s Title IX Coordinator, effective immediately.
Prior to being named the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Tucker served as Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator. In that role, Tucker helped direct the functions of the Title IX Office, as well as trained faculty, staff and students on Baylor’s Title IX policy and processes. Her primary roles included managing the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the University’s Title IX compliance obligations. Additionally, Tucker collaborated across divisional lines to manage safety accommodations, increase awareness and develop policy and a process for complaints alleging sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct and relationship violence.
“Kristan Tucker is a capable and experienced Title IX professional, and I have full confidence in her ability to lead our Title IX Office,” Garland said. “Kristan has been an integral part of our efforts to build a strong and responsive Title IX Office, and she serves, alongside her staff members, on implementation teams focused on the recommendations from Pepper Hamilton. We have made rapid progress on these recommendations, which have improved the University’s processes and systems to ensure we respond effectively and compassionately when students report incidents of sexual violence and seek our help. We are resolutely committed to continuing our support for Kristan and her team in serving and caring for our students.”
Going forward, Tucker said the priority for the Title IX Office is educating and serving the Baylor community.
“The Title IX Office’s focus is on our students and the entire Baylor community, ensuring that we provide the resources, support and assistance they need. It is vital that our systems support a fair and equitable Title IX process,” Tucker said. “Although I may serve as the Title IX Coordinator, this is truly a team effort. We are a unified team, committed to the common goal of addressing the important issues of gender discrimination and interpersonal violence impacting the Baylor community. We remain committed to making progress and working with integrity to show leadership through our efforts.”
Prior to joining Baylor, Tucker served as the Lead Title IX Investigator for East Carolina University where her primary role included oversight of the student Title IX processes and training for students, faculty and staff in order to increase university compliance. Additionally, she gained experience as Senior Equity Compliance Officer within the University of Tennessee system, where she focused on faculty and staff discrimination issues. Tucker holds a Juris Doctorate, a master’s degree in Communication Studies, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.