Learning Objectives

• Identify the scope and purpose of the Federal Title IX Regulations.
• Recognize how a school or district must respond to reports of sexual harassment.
• Understand students’ rights and due process considerations under Title IX.
• Analyze challenges K-12 staff may face when incidents of sexual harassment occur.

Meet Your Instructors

PATRICK B. MATHIS, J.D., L.L.M., M.B.A. | Founding Member

With over 30 years of legal experience, Patrick Mathis is a Founding Member of TIXS as well as a shareholder of Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd. (MM&R), a law firm based in Southern Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. As a certified Title IX investigator, Patrick has advised clients on a wide variety of legal issues, he has a developed awareness of the broad implications of incidents which may affect victims, alleged assailants, and educational institutions. With that understanding, he can work with colleges, Title IX Coordinators, school counsel, and TIXS investigators to develop a comprehensive understanding and approach to addressing the issues which arise in incidents of alleged sexual assaults to ensure prompt and equitable resolutions. Patrick also coordinates the training of our investigators regarding the legal aspects of Title IX, DOE guidelines, state law issues, and related areas. He is a training instructor for TIXS, specializing in the Title IX Regulations, compliance, and issues related to sexual assault affecting students studying abroad. On June 10, 2021, Mr. Mathis submitted oral public comments to the United States Department of Education at the Office of Civil Rights Public Hearing Regarding Current Title IX Regulations.

TAWNY ALONZO, M.S. | Director of Training

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Tawny has blended careers in higher education and law enforcement to address issues of sexual misconduct on college campuses. Tawny took an interest as a police officer in working with victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. She immersed herself in trainings on trauma-informed interviewing, violence against women and children, as well as community approaches to prevention. This passion led to a jump into higher education and the world of Title IX. She previously served as a Title IX Investigator at Texas Woman’s University, Director of Violence Prevention at Southern Methodist University, and Title IX Program Manager at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her areas of expertise include conducting compliant investigations, creating dynamic student and employee trainings, and building holistic campus violence prevention programs.

ADRIENNE MATHIS | Executive Director

Adrienne spearheads Title IX Solutions’ daily operations and consulting services. She works one-on-one with Title IX Coordinators at client universities to interpret federal and state sexual harassment statutes and advise universities on best practices for implementing the Regulations. She also works closely with Title IX Solutions professional investigators, hearing officers, informal resolution facilitators, and advisors to facilitate the provision of Title IX services to client universities. A Title IX policy expert, Adrienne also drafts sexual misconduct policies for colleges and creates guidebooks and templates for Title IX administrators. Adrienne is a training instructor for TIXS, specializing in the implementation of Title IX, investigation planning, and strategies for responding to incidents of sexual assault of U.S. students abroad.