October 7, 2019 | Reesa Olins - School of Social Work

Doctoral Student Awarded Dissertation Grant

Sarah Dodd was recently awarded a dissertation research grant from the Association of Title IX Coordinators (ATIXA).  The award will support Sarah as she completes work on her dissertation, The Impact of the Sexual Assault Reporting Climate on Reporting or Disclosing Sexual Assault to College Officials for LGBTQ Identified Students. “Sarah’s dissertation work at the […]

Sarah Dodd was recently awarded a dissertation research grant from the Association of Title IX Coordinators (ATIXA).  The award will support Sarah as she completes work on her dissertation, The Impact of the Sexual Assault Reporting Climate on Reporting or Disclosing Sexual Assault to College Officials for LGBTQ Identified Students.

“Sarah’s dissertation work at the national level on college campuses on behalf of diverse populations who are survivors of sexual violence indicates her commitment to ensuring Title IX compliance.  Sarah is positioned to become a leader in social work and shows great promise as a scholar” says Cristina Wilson, dissertation chair.

The research award is “given to those creating new and innovative research in the field of Title IX Compliance and Best Practices.” Sarah’s dissertation research was developed out of the current knowledge base on sexual assault and her nine years of experience in victim advocacy and violence prevention on college campuses. In addition to a financial award, Sarah will present a webinar for ATIXA membership about her research upon completion of her dissertation.

“This award is especially exciting as it will allow me to directly share my findings, and possible recommendations, with key stakeholders – Title IX Coordinators across the country who are currently responding to and investigating reports of sexual assault” says Sarah.

ATIXA was formed in 2011 to foster professional development and collaboration for the more than 25,000 people working to ensure Title IX compliance in universities, colleges, and schools in the United States.  The association works with Title IX Coordinators, investigators, and administrators to promote best practices, establish uniform standards, and advance the goal of sex and gender equity in education as mandated by Congress in 1972.  Among its primary goals, Title IX exists to promote equity in academic and athletic programs, prohibit sexual harassment and sexual violence, and to remedy the effects of other gender-based forms of discrimination in education.