Civil Rights & Title IX Summit

9:00 – 9:30 AM: Check-in with coffee and tea

9:30 – 9:45 AM: Opening Remarks

9:45 – 10:45 AM: Opening Keynote

10:45 – 11:00 AM: Break

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Breakout Session Round I

12:15 – 1:30 PM: Lunch and Learn

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM: Break

1:45 – 3:00 PM: Breakout Session Round II

3:00 – 3:05 PM: Break

3:05 – 3:30 PM: Closing Address

This keynote will explore the high-stakes intersections of free speech and civil rights on college campuses. Drawing on his experience navigating complex legal, ethical, and leadership challenges, Timothy J. Heaphy will examine real-world dilemmas that institutions face when competing rights collide—and invite attendees to consider how these tensions shape the future of higher education.

Timothy J. Heaphy is a founding partner of the Washington, D.C. law firm Heaphy, Smith, Harbach & Windom, LLP. He previously served as University Counsel at the University of Virginia, where he managed legal affairs and advised the Board and leadership of that large public research university. His career includes several roles in government, including serving as Chief Investigative Counsel to the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol and United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He is the author of the 2025 book “Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal About Rising Threats to American Democracy.” He resides in Charlottesville, VA with his family.

This panel discussion offers frontline perspectives on preventive and responsive civil rights work at the UW. Panelists will share what issues they are seeing, what community members are asking for, and how partners and the University can support these needs. Using concrete case examples, the discussion will highlight successes, challenges, and strategies for supporting students and the broader community. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on these insights and consider how they can strengthen partnerships and practice in their own roles.

Natalie Dolci, Assistant Director of SafeCampus
Brennon Ham, Director of the Q Center
Kristian Wiles, Associate Vice President for Student Success, OMA&D

This session offers an advanced, practitioner-focused exploration of disability and its intersections across civil rights work, including areas such as Title IX. Participants will be invited to consider proactive strategies that anticipate and meet diverse access needs before harm occurs, while also engaging in thoughtful discussion about reasonable boundaries in practice. The session is designed to support practitioners in strengthening prevention efforts, improving coordination, and responding effectively and sustainably in complex, real-world contexts.

Christine Lew, Associate Director of Accommodations, Bellevue College
Toby Gallant, Civil Rights Case Manager, University of Washington

Building on his keynote, Timothy J. Heaphy will lead a breakout session that introduces additional perspectives on the intersection of free speech and civil rights in higher education, drawing on his experience in university leadership and public service. This session will provide an opportunity for participants to engage directly with Mr. Heaphy through audience Q&A, exploring both practical challenges and broader implications for institutions navigating competing rights and responsibilities.

Timothy J. Heaphy is a founding partner of the Washington, D.C. law firm Heaphy, Smith, Harbach & Windom, LLP. He previously served as University Counsel at the University of Virginia, where he managed legal affairs and advised the Board and leadership of that large public research university. His career includes several roles in government, including serving as Chief Investigative Counsel to the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol and United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He is the author of the 2025 book “Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal About Rising Threats to American Democracy.” He resides in Charlottesville, VA with his family.

Join this discussion about doing meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the current higher education landscape. Drawing on his national consulting and keynote experience, J.P. Anderson will explore practical strategies and real‑world challenges for deepening DEI practice in ways that move beyond superficial efforts and align with civil rights law, while offering space for attendees to reflect and engage with these ideas.

J.P. Anderson is an Assistant Professor of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington and a racial equity consultant with Cultures Connecting, LLC. His work explores how law and institutions shape social inequities and how organizations and campuses can advance equity, inclusion, and belonging in meaningful ways. As a consultant and speaker, he helps institutions move beyond surface-level DEI efforts toward transformative practice. JP brings both professional insight and personal experience to his work and often reminds himself and others, “Be kind whenever possible — it is always possible.”

This practitioner-focused session explores sustaining well-being while engaging in complex, emotionally demanding civil rights work. Summit participants will learn about and engage in reflective and practical strategies for maintaining balance, resilience, and connection while continuing to show up effectively for individuals, communities, and the institution.

Charisse Williams, Director for Restorative Practices in the Office of Healthcare Equity

Join this panel of CRC coordinators for a facilitated conversation and audience Q&A focused on the most pressing issues and emerging challenges in civil rights work at the UW. This interactive session will explore current trends, high-level case examples, and how Title VI, ADA, and Title IX coordination functions in practice. Participants will have the opportunity to ask both “nuts and bolts” and big-picture questions, learn how campus partners can support prevention, accessibility, and community well-being efforts, and better understand how the coordinators and the Civil Rights Compliance Office can support their work. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions, experiences, and curiosity to this informal, discussion-based session.

Brielle Nettles, Title VI Coordinator, provides leadership and oversight on work to prevent and address discrimination and harassment based on race, color, and national origin. She brings experience advancing systems transformation and community well-being in higher education. Before joining the UW, Brielle helped establish an office of equity and civil rights at a public research university, and served as special assistant to the president and deputy Title IX coordinator at another institution. Brielle holds a bachelor’s in cultural studies and a master’s in social work. She is completing a doctorate in social work, focusing on community well-being, policy, and reconciliation. Outside of work, Brielle enjoys family, crosswords, and travel.
Beth Somerfield, Deputy ADA Coordinator for Digital Accessibility, has worked throughout her career to make it easier for people to connect with public services. Before joining UW, Beth was the director of digital accessibility at a human-centered design consultancy. Her work primarily supported state and local governments, helping agencies build accessibility into their digital product lifecycles from procurement, development, and design through content management. Prior to consulting, she had over 15 years of experience working in local government in user experience, accessibility, and digital content roles.
Valery Richardson, Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, provides direction and support to the CRC team, University leadership and process partners to ensure that civil rights laws are implemented at the UW in alignment with our guiding values of equity and access and a commitment to move beyond compliance to prevention and inclusion. Before joining the Title IX office in 2017, Valery worked in student affairs and campus life as a higher education consultant with a focus on strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and change management. Valery holds a master’s degree in College and University Administration from Michigan State University. Valery enjoys hiking the local trails, kayaking, and planning adventures with friends and family.

The closing address will bring together the most important themes and lessons from the Summit, highlighting what matters most as this work continues. Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance Valery Richardson will speak to the challenges ahead and underscore the role each participant plays, sending attendees out grounded, energized, and ready to carry this work forward.

Valery Richardson, Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, provides direction and support to the CRC team, University leadership and process partners to ensure that civil rights laws are implemented at the UW in alignment with our guiding values of equity and access and a commitment to move beyond compliance to prevention and inclusion. Before joining the Title IX office in 2017, Valery worked in student affairs and campus life as a higher education consultant with a focus on strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and change management. Valery holds a master’s degree in College and University Administration from Michigan State University. Valery enjoys hiking the local trails, kayaking, and planning adventures with friends and family.