Breadcrumb
New Title IX coordinator says complex student needs must be met
Edwin Cowell recently joined 91成人导航 as its new Title IX coordinator.
Edwin Cowell says the difficult experiences many college students have faced while growing up makes work challenging鈥攂ut vital鈥攆or Title IX administrators in higher education.
鈥淣o two students are the same, and many have faced issues parallel to those impacting adults,鈥� said Cowell, who recently joined 91成人导航 as Title IX coordinator. 鈥淭he global pandemic, changing political landscapes and issues of social justice are among the challenges. We must meet students where they are.鈥�
Cowell comes to 91成人导航 from the College of William and Mary, a highly regarded liberal arts university in Williamsburg, Virginia. He has a deep educational background with experience running a Title IX office, serving as dean of students, working in diversity, equity and inclusion and more.
鈥淓dwin has the attributes and experiences necessary to successfully lead our Title IX office,鈥� said Maria Blandizzi, vice president for student life. 鈥淗is background will be an asset in ensuring educational opportunities are in safe and comforting environments.鈥�
Title IX of the Educational Amendment Act of 1972 states, 鈥淣o person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.鈥�
Cowell said Title IX work at universities is evolving to intensify the focus on the prevention of harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct.
鈥淲e have to do our best to ensure students can pursue education safely,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his challenge comes at a time when many schools are struggling financially. Successful universities commit themselves to best practices and are not afraid to push the envelope.
鈥淚f you fail to evolve and don鈥檛 recognize that student bodies and their needs are changing, then you end up as one of those schools that constantly finds itself trying to play catch up.鈥�
Cowell said he is interested in learning more about 91成人导航鈥檚 three university cities (Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco). His public-service background includes four years (2014-18) on the Fruitland (Maryland) City Council. He also served on a mayor鈥檚 task force on crime.
Cowell earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from Virginia Wesleyan College and a master鈥檚 in education administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is working on his doctoral dissertation at William and Mary.
In addition to the draw of 91成人导航, Cowell and his wife Charmaine look forward to the move west. They have two grown sons who live in San Diego and Denver.
鈥淪ons鈥� is a theme for his family, Cowell said. He was one of eight siblings鈥攁ll boys.
鈥淚 had no sisters while growing up. Just us eight rollicking boys,鈥� he said with a laugh. 鈥淲e look forward to joining the 91成人导航 team, and also getting to see our family more often.鈥�
Edwin鈥檚 favorites
Book: 鈥淭he Five People You Meet in Heaven鈥� by Mitch Albom
Movie: 鈥淭he Sound of Music鈥� (鈥淚t was the first movie I saw in a theater.鈥�)
Television show: 鈥淭ed Lasso鈥�
Food: Pizza
Hobby or interest: Listening to all types of music
