Skip to Main Content

In this section

Title IX Policy and Resolution Process 2024

Below find the link to the RFU Title IX Policy and Resolution Process 2024 in its entirety. We recognize that the document is detailed and lengthy, therefore, feel free to reach out to the Director of Title IX Compliance/Title IX Coordinator for any questions or concerns you may have. Please know that if you reach out, you do not have to share your name or give details of the incident in question if you do not wish to. The Title IX process is intended to be carried out according to what is in the best interest of the reporter. However, the University may pursue a grievance if it is in the best best interests of the institution. Email at titleix.coordinator@rosalindfranklin.edu. or call at 224-570-7314.

Title IX Team Contacts

RFU has appointed the Title IX Team, comprised of the following individual(s), to coordinate RFU ’s compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws and ordinances:

Allena Barbato, JD, LMFT
She/her/hers
Director of Title IX Compliance, Title IX Coordinator and Equity Officer
Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
allena.barbato@rosalindfranklin.edu
Phone: 224-570-7314

Heather M. Kind-Keppel, EdD, MS, MEd
she/her/hers
Executive Director of Equity, Education, and Outreach
Deputy Title IX Officer, Primary Designated School Official
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Assistant Professor, Humanities and Health Care
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064-3095
T: (847) 578-3431; F: (224) 775-6528

Sally J. Madden, MBA, SPHR
(she/her/hers)
Associate Vice President - Human Resources
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064-3095
sally.madden@rosalindfranklin.edu
Phone: 847-578-3266

Shelly Brzycki
She/her/hers
Dean of Students
Division of Student Success and Wellness
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
shelly.brzycki@rosalindfranklin.edu
Phone: 847-578-8355

Title IX Team Members

All team members are trained in various functions; Advisor, Investigator, Dismissal Appeal Officer, Decision Maker, Appeals Decision Maker Alternative Resolution Facilitator, and Bias Response Team. Below find the list of Title IX Team Members many of whom are also part of the Resolution Process Pool, which is subject to change:

  • Allena Barbato, JD, LMFT, Director of Title IX Compliance, Title IX Coordinator and Equity Officer
  • Gordon Blanchard, Director of Campus Safety
  • Shelly Brzycki, Dean of Students
  • Moreen Carvan, EdD, Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs
  • Pamela Chambers, DNP, EJD, MSN, CRNA, CPPS, FAANA, Assistant Professor Nurse Anesthesia Program
  • Meredith Fils, MS, PA-C, Assistant Professor & Director of Didactic Education,

College of Health Professions

  • Sarah S. Garber, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Science and Director of Interprofessional Studies, College of Pharmacy
  • Maryanna Gibbs, MA, Executive Director, Accessibility and Academic Services
  • Lauren Hoover, MEd, Learning Community Advisor, Chicago Medical School
  • Heather Kind-Keppel, EdD, MS, MEd, Executive Director, Office of Equity, Education and Outreach
  • Sarah Kelly, PhD, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
  • Michelle Kramer, JD, Associate General Counsel, Office of Compliance
  • Jessica Lewis, PhD, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Assistant Professor, Chicago Medical School
  • Sally Madden, MBA, SPHR, Associate Vice President, Human Resources
  • Amanda Marenda, MS, Senior Director, Academic Policy and Regulatory Affairs
  • Alondra Olvera, MS, Director of Student Life
  • Nancy Parsley, DPM, MHPE, Provost (Role limited exclusively to Appeals Decision Maker)
  • Aubrey Penney, Academic Program Coordinator, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  • Jeremy Rosenkranz, PhD, MS, Professor, Chicago Medical School and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Director, Brain Science Institute
  • Mary Tell, MSHRM, SPHR, Director, Human Resources
  • Nutan Vaidya, MD, Professor & Discipline Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Equity, Chicago Medical School

  • Eric Williams, PhD, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Amber Woyak, MSEd, Executive Director, Campus Life

Collectively, these individuals are responsible for providing comprehensive sex discrimination education and training; coordinating RFU ’s timely, thorough, and fair response, investigation, and resolution of all alleged prohibited conduct under this Policy; and monitoring the effectiveness of this Policy and related procedures to ensure an education and employment environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

RFU recognizes that allegations under this Policy may include multiple forms of discrimination and harassment as well as violations of other RFU policies; may involve various combinations of students, employees, and other members of the RFU community; and may require the simultaneous attention of multiple RFU departments. Accordingly, all RFU departments will share information, combine efforts, and otherwise collaborate, to the maximum extent permitted by law and consistent with other applicable RFU policies, to provide uniform, consistent, efficient, and effective responses to alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.