MSU hires antidiscrimination coordinator

Missouri State University hired a Springfield attorney as its first full-time coordinator to enforce Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act and related federal and state laws.

The school selected Jill Patterson, who currently works at Keck & Austin LLC and was elected to the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education in April.

According to a university news release, Patterson will be charged with investigating and resolving reports of sexual discrimination, misconduct, harassment, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking involving members of the MSU community. Title IX prohibits discrimination in education on the basis of sex, according to Ed.gov.

“Missouri State University has always been committed to preventing and swiftly and fairly investigating any type of sexual misconduct on campus,” MSU President Clif Smart said in the release. “Hiring an employee dedicated to this full time shows our commitment to having a safe campus.”

From 2011-12, Patterson served as chief legal counsel for the Greene County sheriff’s office. Prior to that, she worked 15 years as assistant Greene County prosecuting attorney, focusing on domestic violence, child abuse and assault. She also has taught classes at MSU’s criminology, criminal justice and psychology departments. In 2013, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed her to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]