Chantelle Cleary joins Cornell as Title IX coordinator

Chantelle Cleary

Chantelle Cleary, assistant vice president for equity and compliance and the Title IX coordinator at the University at Albany, State University of New York, has been appointed Cornell’s Title IX coordinator effective June 4. She will succeed Sarah Affel.

Cleary will provide strategic vision and leadership for Cornell’s Title IX efforts for students, faculty and staff across multiple campuses. These include oversight of the university’s compliance with Title IX; its ongoing education and sexual assault and harassment prevention efforts; the investigation, response and resolution of all reports of sexual and related misconduct at the university; and Cornell’s efforts to eliminate prohibited conduct, prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects.

“We are delighted that Chantelle will become our next Title IX coordinator,” said Mary Opperman, vice president and chief human resources officer, to whom Cleary will report. “She brings a wealth of knowledge that will continue to advance our practices for timely, thorough and fair investigations, and support the prevention and awareness programs we offer for students, faculty and staff.”

Cleary coordinates Albany’s sexual violence prevention and education programs, and conducts investigations into allegations of unlawful discrimination and sexual assault occurring in the campus community. As a faculty member for the National Center for Campus Public Safety’s Trauma Informed Sexual Assault and Adjudication Institute, Cleary also shares her expertise with higher education professionals and law enforcement.

“For me, the most gratifying aspect of serving in the role of Title IX coordinator has been working closely with students on sexual violence prevention initiatives,” said Cleary. “Cornell will offer me an opportunity to continue this important work on a campus that cultivates global leaders. My hope is to support the development of deeply ingrained values of respect that Cornell graduates will then share as young professionals entering the workforce.”

She added: “I was immediately drawn to the collective commitment Cornell has to creating a campus culture of respect and safety. The development and implementation of an institutional response to sexual violence that is both supportive and fair is commendable.”

“Chantelle’s expertise and energy will be an excellent fit with our team and the Cornell community,” said Kareem Peat, deputy Title IX coordinator and interim Title IX coordinator. “Her experience addressing equity and compliance in the higher education setting is an invaluable resource.”

Looking ahead, Opperman added, “Chantelle and I have already begun discussions about where the office will go next, as we continue to focus on education and prevention, oversight of Policy 6.4 procedures that empower individuals to report violations, and conduct fair and impartial investigations of formal complaints.”

Cleary received a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and a J.D. from Albany Law School. She spent a decade as an assistant district attorney assigned to the prosecution of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and crimes against children. In that role, Cleary developed expertise in conducting thorough and trauma-informed sexual violence investigations.

Ashley Fazio is director of communications for the Division of Human Resources.

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