Sexual Misconduct Institute (SMI) Chair

Michael Fazi, J.D., M.Ed. – Assistant Director, Title IX, Vanderbilt University

Michael Fazi serves as the Assistant Director for Title IX at Vanderbilt University. In this role, he reviews and responds to reports of sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, and other related policy violations in compliance with Title VII and Title IX. He also helps manage supportive measures, informal resolution processes, athletics equity compliance review, Clery review, and the office’s extensive training initiative. In addition to his professional work, Michael serves as a faculty VUceptor for Vanderbilt’s first-year experience program, Vanderbilt Visions.

Within ASCA, Michael served as the 2024 SMI Logistics Coordinator and a member of the association’s Title IX Working Group. Michael also serves as the Co-Chair for the Conduct Professionals with/interested in J.D.s Community of Practice. Michael is an active presenter, presenting recently at events sponsored by ASCA, the US Air Force Academy, and the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services.

Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Michael worked as a Community Standards Fellow at Merrimack College and Law Clerk for the University System of New Hampshire’s General Counsel. He holds a B.A. cum laude in Politics from the University of Dallas, an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Merrimack College, and a J.D. cum laude from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.

Sexual Misconduct Institute (SMI) Faculty

Jeff Bates, MBA, M.A. – Director of Student Conduct & Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Oklahoma State University

Jeff Bates serves as the Director of Student Conduct & Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Oklahoma State University. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and management for the University-wide student conduct process and coordinates the institution’s response to reports of sexual misconduct with students. Jeff has received a bachelor’s degree in education from Lebanon Valley College, a master’s degree in college student development from Appalachian State University, and an MBA from Florida State University. He has previously held positions in student conduct and residence life at Florida State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tulane University, University of South Carolina, and Appalachian State University. He is an active member of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and has co-authored a chapter on ethics and decision making in Student Conduct Practice (2020).

In his research, Jeff is interested in how individuals formulate, analyze, and ultimately make decisions as well as how those decisions impact individuals and the organizations to which they belong. He has served as a Talent Management Subject Matter Expert in the development of the NASPA Student Affairs Certification; has presented on hiring practices, organizational design, and staffing at national conferences; and is currently contracted as the editor for a manuscript on staffing within student affairs. In his daily work, Jeff is committed to encouraging moral development in order to foster an environment that makes learning possible and holistically supports the success of all students.

Katy Larkin, M.Ed. – Senior Director of Student Accountability & Conflict Response, Penn State University

Katy Larkin serves as the senior director of Student Accountability & Conflict Response. In this role, she is responsible for the administration of the Student Code of Conduct at the University Park campus as well as at the 23 additional campuses across the commonwealth and online. Katy also represents Penn State Student Affairs on multiple interdisciplinary teams and committees, including the Behavioral Threat Management Team, the Student Care Team, and the Expressive Speech Committee.

Katy has worked in student affairs for more than 15 years. Before Penn State, she most recently served as the assistant dean of students and director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Oregon. At the University of Oregon, Katy led the creation and implementation of a new student conduct code and was part of the team that developed standard operating procedures for sexual misconduct and other forms of harassment and discrimination. Before her work at the University of Oregon, Katy held positions at Eastern Oregon University, the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Katy received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oregon and her master’s degree in higher education leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Kristi Patrickus, J.D. – Attorney, EdCounsel, LLC

Kristi is a born-and-raised Missourian with deep roots in education and public service. She is a first-generation college student and lawyer who’s built her entire career on serving educational institutions at all levels. With experience both in and out of the classroom, Kristi understands the unique needs of public schools, and she uses this insider perspective to help districts navigate through complex legal issues. Kristi stays busy in her time away from the office – she serves on the board of directors for a professional education association and frequently presents at national conferences on legal issues in higher education. In her free time, Kristi loves playing video games with her fiancé, walking her two dogs, attending Springfield Cardinal games, and rewatching Gilmore Girls.

Kimberly Taylor, J.D., M.Ed. – Associate, Rebecca Leitman Veidlinger, Esq., PLLC.

After spending the majority of her career in higher education, Kimberly Taylor is now an Associate at Rebecca Leitman Veidlinger, Esq, PLLC, a boutique law firm providing full-spectrum legal counsel on all aspects of Title IX implementation and compliance. Kim conducts investigations, serves as a hearing officer, provides Title IX training and education and at times, serves as an interim Title IX Coordinator for colleges and universities.

In her time as a student affairs practitioner, Kim was on the front lines of implementing sexual misconduct policies and processes in a context of changing regulatory requirements. She developed comprehensive programs to address and prevent gender discrimination and trained faculty, staff, and students about reporting requirements, adjudication procedures and resolution options. Her depth of experience as an educator allows her to approach Title IX complaints, reports, investigations, and resolutions with a sense of empathy and understanding of how to effectively communicate with parties as they deal with a difficult process.

Prior to joining the Veidlinger firm, Kim was the Bi-College Title IX Coordinator at Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College. Before that, Kim served as the Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator for Ursinus College, where she directed the offices of student conduct, campus safety, crisis management, and prevention and advocacy. Kim holds a J.D. from Rutgers Law School and an M.Ed.in Higher Education Administration from the University of Delaware.

Darius Thomas, M.Ed. – Associate Director in the Office of Title IX Ethics & Compliance, Morehouse College

Darius A. Thomas is a scholar-practitioner with over 14 years of experience in higher education, focusing on student success, student conduct, advocacy, and care, and Title IX compliance. He is dedicated to creating inclusive environments that foster student achievement.

Currently, Darius serves as the Associate Director in the Office of Title IX Ethics and Compliance at Morehouse College, resolving reports of sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination and facilitating training on Title IX compliance and campus sexual violence.

Prior to his current role, Darius served as Director of Student Conduct and Title IX at Valdosta State University, Assistant Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Student Conduct Specialist and Interim Director of Community Standards at the University of West Georgia.

Darius has presented at various conferences on topics such as first-year student success, African American male retention, and educational equity. As an adjunct faculty member, he has taught courses like “Snapbacks & Tattoos vs. Suit & Tie: Black America’s Definition of Masculinity,” which examined Black male identity.

His contributions have been recognized by multiple organizations, including the NASPA African American Knowledge Community, which awarded him the “Kuumba” New Professional Award in 2015. He also received the 2023 Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award from the Association for Student Conduct Administration. Recently, Darius received the 2025 NASPA Region III Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award.

Guided by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s example, Darius lifelong mission is to uplift, empower, and equip students—especially young Black men—with the tools they need to thrive.

Sexual Misconduct Institute (SMI) Session Facilitators

Rev. Dr. Andre L. Clanton – Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Clayton State University

Rev. Dr. André L. Clanton is a dynamic higher education leader, ordained minister, and passionate advocate for student development, equity, and transformative justice. He currently serves as the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at Clayton State University, bringing over 25 years of experience in student affairs.  

Dr. Clanton holds a Doctor of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary, a Master of Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Wesleyan University. He has served as a Title IX Coordinator, Chair of Behavioral Intervention Teams, and leader in initiatives aimed at bias response, diversity, and African American male success.  Dr. Clanton has trained Title IX Investigators, Hearing Officers, and Advisors.  

In ministry, Dr. Clanton has pastored and served in multiple churches throughout Georgia, Michigan, and Maryland, leading in roles such as Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, Director of Christian Education, and Chaplain Intern. His spiritual leadership integrates seamlessly with his student affairs work, rooted in a theology of care, justice, and reconciliation.

A respected speaker and published contributor in student conduct education, Dr. Clanton has presented at ASCA and SACSA conferences, served as faculty for Student Conduct 101/301 courses,  served on the ASCA Board of Directors as Director-At-Large for Small Institutions and liaison to the Religiously-Affiliated Institutions, Conflict Resolution, and Academic Integrity Communities of Practice and Co-Chaired the Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Community of Practice.  

With a deep commitment to transformation, equity, and service, Dr. Clanton continues to empower students both academically and spiritually.

Mindy Kinnaman, Ed.D. – Assistant Director for Equal Opportunity, Access, & Title IX Coordination, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Dr. Mindy Kinnaman has worked in higher education for more than 20 years. She currently serves as the Associate Director/Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Response and Resolution at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Throughout her career, she has worked in residence life, student life, and student conduct. She received a master’s of arts in higher education administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and an education doctorate in community college leadership from Northern Illinois University.