People news: Syracuse University names Johnson-Willis permanent chief equal opportunity and Title IX officer

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University announced it has named Sheila R. Johnson-Willis associate VP and chief equal opportunity and Title IX officer. She has served in that position on an interim basis since June 2015.

“Following a national search announced last November … it became very clear to the search committee that Sheila has all the essential qualifications, skills, experience, sensitivity and commitment to carry out the duties of this critical role,” Andrew Gordon, senior VP and chief human resources officer at Syracuse University, said in a news release. “She has earned the respect and trust of students, faculty and staff, and has done a stellar job of leading the office through some challenging times over the last few years.”

Reporting to Gordon, Johnson-Willis leads the university’s Equal Opportunity and Inclusion Resolution Office (EOIRS) and is responsible for aligning all its functions. During her tenure as interim leader, Johnson-Willis has expanded services and staff, adding an experienced investigator and obtaining the resources necessary to hire two additional investigators, the release stated. She also enhanced disability services and outreach to students to make them more aware of their rights and the support available.

Prior to being appointed interim associate VP and chief equal opportunity and Title IX officer in June 2015, Johnson-Willis was director of equal opportunity and inclusion at Syracuse University from October 2012 to June 2015. She came to Syracuse from Colgate University, where she was director of equal opportunity and affirmative action and Title IX officer. Before that, Johnson-Willis was director for affirmative action compliance and Title IX coordinator at Indiana State University. She earned a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

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Photo credit: Syracuse University