The Law & Education

Are you ready for the next school year, or will compliance catch you off guard? In this episode of The Law and Education Podcast, Courtney Bullard is joined by Erica D'Agostino, Senior Title IX and Equity Specialist and team lead at Institutional Compliance Solutions (ICS). Erica's diverse experience spans K-12 education, higher education, disability services, school leadership, investigations, he...

Title IX coordination requires a different approach in K-12 and higher education settings, and understanding those distinctions is essential for effective compliance and student support. During this episode, we are joined by Amy Buck, a Senior Title IX and Equity Specialist at ICS. Together, we discuss the difference between serving in higher ed versus K-12 in Title IX. Amy shares insights into wh...

Compliance work is uniquely heavy by nature, and burnout is inevitable without sustainable practices. Every compliance team can have balance by creating a better rhythm. In this episode of The Law and Education Podcast, we are discussing some lessons we learned from the recent ICS retreat. Tuning in, you'll hear all about the importance of finding a good rhythm for your compliance team, the power...

The year 2025 was a reset, not a pause. There are some narratives floating around that 2025 was a slowdown year for civil rights enforcement, but that narrative is wrong. What 2025 actually showed is that enforcement didn't retreat; it restructured. During this episode, we explore the priorities that defined 2025, the decentralization of civil rights enforcement, and what this meant for compliance...

This year has been unlike any other in the compliance world. Across every school district and institution that we support, we have seen the same pattern emerge: expectations rising and responsibilities expanding, and the compliance landscape shifting faster than ever before under this new administration. At ICS, we've tried to offer some real clarity and practical pathways forward to help you stay...

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is a critical part of the US Department of Education, and today on the Law and Education Podcast, we are discussing the ins and outs of the OCR. We are joined by a partner at Evergreen Education Solutions and former regional director at the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, Beth Gellman-Beer. Tuning in, you'll hear all about the OCR, what they...

Artificial intelligence is transforming education, and compliance is no exception. In this episode, we discuss how AI is influencing Title IX and Title VI work, from investigations and training to how students search for information about their rights. We begin with a look behind the scenes at ICS, including updates on community partner renewals, new training opportunities, and upcoming Title VI C...

The Department of Justice is more active than ever before. At the launch of the new academic school year, we are joined by two formidable legal minds from Salvatore Prescott Porter & Porter. Whitney Pellegrino is a seasoned architect of educational civil rights enforcement and strategic counsel for institutions nationwide. Veronica Percia is a dynamic litigator and former DOJ leader behind some of...

Charlotte McLendon is passionate about supporting community colleges in their Title IX compliance efforts. She joins us today to discuss the Title IX work being done at the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). We unpack the work of ACCS, what Charlotte's role as Student Success Compliance Officer entails, and how her efforts impact each college. Charlotte's Title IX training began in a four-ye...

It is hard to believe that we're already zooming into summer! It's been a wild few months, and this is an informational episode to recap some of what has happened. We start by giving you a peek behind the scenes at ICS, from training planned to a newly launched LinkedIn newsletter. Next, we touch on the May 22nd injunction, the events of May 23rd, and what the newly introduced Civil Rights Fraud I...

A lot of ground is covered during this informational episode of The Law and Education Podcast to bring listeners up to speed with the changes to Title IX, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and federal funding under the current administration. It is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and our conversation touches on the role of Title IX in relation to this. Next, we discuss the recent announce...

Impulsive action is oftentimes the wrong action. This episode is a reminder to remain calm amidst the uncertainty many schools are facing under the new administration. Joining us is Steven Richard, a Trial and Appellate Attorney, admitted in Federal and State Courts in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. His practice areas include business litigation, education law, employment law, and r...

In late 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law, amending the Clery Act – a consumer protection law designed to enhance transparency around campus crime policies and statistics. Beginning in 2025, institutions receiving federal student aid must comply with these new requirements. But what does this really mean for colleges and universities? Who is responsible for compliance, and what...

The transition to the new administration this past month has brought a host of rapid changes in education-related law and compliance. A lot of developments have happened that may impact the Title IX and equity space. It's more important than ever before to stay informed but not overwhelmed, and this episode aims to share key insights to help you do exactly that. Join us as we discuss the critical...

If you're getting paid to ensure the outcomes of a group of people, you're now a leader. At ICS, we are often training Title IX coordinators on the fact that they are leaders of a Title IX Team. Shelli Warren is a Women's Team and Leadership Advisor providing high-touch team and leadership coaching for established small business owners. She joins us in conversation to unpack what it truly takes to...

Many institutions are well acquainted with Title IX compliance but are less informed about adhering to other civil rights laws, like Title VI. Today, we are talking with Celeste Bradley, Chief Services Officer at Institutional Compliance Solutions (ICS), about the complexities of Title VI compliance and how to address discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. We discuss the contours...

Leadership is at the heart of every Title IX coordinator's role, making it essential to have a clear vision. This episode, the first in a series on leadership, revisits a past conversation with Dr. Kaaren Williamsen, Director of the Prevention Education, Assistance & Resources (PEAR) unit within the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office at the University of Michigan. In this insightful discuss...

As always, things are constantly changing in the Title IX world. We already have an update with respect to the 2024 Title IX regulations. Join us as we uncover the details of this regulation and the significant implications it will have this year. You'll also receive some important advice on how to proceed as a Title IX practitioner. Tune in to clear up any confusion and receive the necessary reso...

We are off to the races with The Law and Education Podcast for 2025 – we hope you are well-rested, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle everything this year throws at you! Today is all about reflecting on where we've been, making some major announcements, and outlining our path forward for 2025. We learn about Celeste Bradly and Betsy Smith's new job titles as Chief Solutions Officer and Chief Innovat...

Join Courtney Bullard for a quick informational episode about what to expect post-election in the Title IX space. We take a look at what we know about President-Elect Trump and his plans for Title IX, a reminder to register for Title IX training sessions, details on the upcoming complimentary webinar in January 2025, and more about the Title IX, Mental Health and School Safety Symposium to be held...

Is community the greatest asset to a Title IX Coordinator? Today's guest began as a client and Community Partner before joining the team here at ICS. Brittany Gates is a mental health expert who serves as a Title IX and Equity Specialist at Institutional Compliance Solutions, LLC, and we begin today's conversation with how she got into the Title IX space. We learn about Brittany's entry into Title...

Today on The Law and Education Podcast, we step away from the chaos and confusion surrounding the Title IX litigation landscape and the August 1st implementation deadline to bring you an important conversation. Join host Betsy Smith, Director of Title IX Services at ICS, and Heath Eslinger, Cofounder of A Better Way (ABW) Athletics, for an enlightening discussion on Title IX and its impact on athl...

Unfortunately, my predictions about the Title IX regulation outcomes in Texas were completely wrong! Today on The Law and Education Podcast, we are bringing you another Title IX update and sharing the strange changes that have happened. Tuning in, you'll hear about what happened in Texas, learn everything you need to know about 'the Kansas decision', find out what schools (both litigation and non-...

In the last episode of The Law and Higher Education Podcast, listeners were encouraged to take a vacation in light of the Title IX chaos and today, we are discussing why Title IX professionals should 'pause' while awaiting final outcomes. Tuning in, you'll hear what happened over the summer at ICS, what has been happening with the Title IX regulations since the last episode, and how to handle this...

On April 19 th , the new Title IX Regulations were released by the Department of Education with an implementation deadline of August 1st. There is a lot of information in circulation which can be overwhelmingly stressful for those with boots on the ground. Tune in to this episode for advice on how to leverage the offerings, resources, and support available from ICS and others. Touching on the role...