Alicia M. Simpson has been named Title IX coordinator and director of sexual misconduct prevention and response at Duquesne. She most recently served as an associate attorney at Ruder Law.
In her new role, Simpson is responsible for responding to reports of Title IX Sexual Harassment under TAP 61 and non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct under Duquesne's TAP 31, and for developing prevention programming and education aimed at the reduction of Title IX Sexual Harassment and non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct.
In addition, Simpson serves as the internal consultant and subject matter expert on Title IX, Title IX Sexual Harassment, and non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct prevention and response, ensuring that members of the University community understand prohibited conduct.
Simpson says she wants to ensure a safe environment for the Duquesne community.
"I hope to accomplish this by bringing awareness to faculty, staff and students about Title IX and by providing educational programming regarding the prevention of sexual harassment and misconduct," she says. "I hope to increase communication and collaboration on these important issues in order to provide a safe and welcoming campus community."
At Ruder Law, Simpson specialized in special education and disability rights, representing students who suffered disability, sex and race discrimination in school. She also worked with numerous school districts to ensure her clients were provided with appropriate educational accommodations and school environments were free from discrimination and harassment.
Simpson describes harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex as "barriers" that stand in the way of educational opportunities and academic potential.
"A Title IX office is necessary to ensure that Universities remain free of sex discrimination and that if such discrimination occurs, its reoccurrence is prevented," Simpson says. "Students, along with faculty and staff, must have confidence that all incidents of Title IX Sexual Harassment and non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct will be investigated and responded to appropriately. Working side-by-side, we can continue to assure this confidence continues."
A Pittsburgh native, Simpson earned her B.A. in 2010 and J.D. in 2013 from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was vice president of the Student Bar Association. She also worked as a certified legal intern at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, representing victims of domestic violence, and at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid, which provides free legal services to the underserved.
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