Governor and first lady announce appointments, reappointments to campus sexual assault workgroup

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and First Lady Sue Snyder on Tuesday announced appointments and reappointments to the campus sexual assault workgroup. The workgroup will develop a framework of best practices for preventing campus sexual assault and a model to pilot regional centers to investigate reports of sexual misconduct.

“Before proposing new procedures related to campus sexual assault, I believe it’s critical that we rely on the experts to weigh in,” Gov. Snyder said. “I’m confident this group of individuals will offer a unique, thoughtful approach to develop a comprehensive set of solutions to help make Michigan’s college and university campuses safer.”

The governor and first lady have asked the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board to oversee the multi-disciplinary workgroup. Members will include experts from the first lady’s campus sexual assault workgroup as well as new appointees.

“I’m proud of the incredible work these individuals accomplished last year when developing a resource handbook for sexual assault survivors,” First Lady Sue Snyder said. “I have no doubt that this group will succeed once again in creating recommendations to help continue improving sexual assault prevention and response on our state’s campuses.”
The workgroup will be asked to review and provide a framework of best practices for the following:

—A model to pilot a network of regional investigation centers to review and resolve reports of sexual misconduct on campuses. The workgroup will consult with experts who have developed similar models for consideration by other states.

—Develop a framework of prevention best practices colleges and universities can implement on campus.

Recommendations are due to the governor and first lady by Aug. 3, 2018.

Appointments include:

• Blaine Koops of Holland is the CEO/executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University, a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University, and completed Northwestern University’s police staff and command school. Koops also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

• John Shea of Ann Arbor is an attorney who operates his own private practice with a trial law emphasis focused primarily on criminal defense. He holds a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Michigan and law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

• Robert Stevenson of Northville is executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Madonna University, a master’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and completed Northwestern University’s police staff and command school.

Reappointments include:

• Nadia Bazzy of Canton is the director of multi-ethic student affairs at the University of Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in conflict transformation and peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University.

• Christopher Becker of Ada is the Kent County prosecuting attorney. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Michigan State University and a law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

• Aura Cazares of Berkley is the student conduct and compliance officer and Title IX coordinator at Henry Ford College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, marketing and communications from the University of Detroit Mercy.

• Brandon DeHaan of Grand Rapids is the director of public safety and chief of police at Grand Valley State University’s police department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University.

• Kimberly DeVries of Hudsonville is the director of equal opportunity compliance and is the Title IX coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and telecommunications from the University of Georgia and earned a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

• Mary Engelman of Bloomfield Township is the executive director of the Michigan Women’s Commission. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Evangel College.

• Tana Fedewa of DeWitt is the director for the sexual assault program at Michigan State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Grand Valley State University and earned a master’s degree in clinical social work from Michigan State University.

• Danielle Hagaman-Clark of Brighton is the violence against women project director at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice from Western Michigan University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

• Ellen Lassiter Collier of Battle Creek is the director of gender equity and Title IX coordinator for Kalamazoo College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in public history from Northeastern University.

• Andrea Munford of Haslett is the commander of the investigative division at the Michigan State University police department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University and is Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certified.

• Sarah Prout Rennie of Berkley is the executive director of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

• Matthew Wiese of Marquette is the Marquette County prosecutor. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and a law degree from Vermont Law School.

• Melody Werner of Ypsilanti is the Title IX coordinator at Eastern Michigan University. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications and a doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.

To view the resources previously developed by the first lady’s workgroup, visit www.michigan.gov/campussexualassault.