Woodruff joins national leadership committee on combatting sexual harassment

The collaborative, comprising 55 member institutions, comes together to build and implement strategies that decisively prevent and respond to incidents of sexual harassment based on the findings from the National Academies’ 2018 Sexual Harassment of Women report. It also dedicates special attention to those at a heightened risk of such misconduct, such as individuals with traditionally underserved identities.

Woodruff, alongside other senior academic leaders, will lead the charge to ensure the collaborative’s work influences decision-makers at member institutions and reflects the reality of driving change within the realm of higher education.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with a role on the Leadership Committee of the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education,” said Woodruff. “Through collaborative efforts with esteemed colleagues and institutions, we will strive to create transformative policies and practices that ensure that our campuses become sanctuaries of learning, growth and inclusivity for everyone, free of sexual harassment.”

With Woodruff’s extensive experience and outstanding leadership in higher education, this recognition underscores her and the university’s commitment to fostering safer environments and combatting sexual harassment at MSU and within the higher education community.

MSU has been represented on the collaborative since its establishment in 2018. As a founding action collaborative member, MSU has aligned this focus as an initiative of its Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Strategic Plan. Cheryl Sisk, associate dean emeritus and professor in the College of Natural Science, along with Hilda Mejia Abreu, associate dean for admissions, student life and inclusivity in the College of Veterinary Medicine, spearheaded the effort. Melissa Sortman, assistant provost and director of Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs joined them in 2019 to drive the mission forward with exceptional leadership. Advisory board members included Julie Libarkin, associate dean in the Office of Undergraduate Education under the Provost’s Office, and NiCole Buchanan, professor of ecological and community psychology in the College of Social Science.

It is through the action collaborative that MSU has taken proactive steps to create a safe and respectful work and learning environment by launching the “Creating and Sustaining a Respectful Work Environment Series.” Building on the recommendations of the 2018 NASEM report, the series equips leaders at all levels with essential skills to address issues of sexual harassment, discrimination and conflict while nurturing a culture of inclusivity and accountability.

“We recognize the importance of fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for our students, faculty and staff,” said Sortman. “By providing comprehensive leadership training through the ‘Creating and Sustaining a Respectful Work Environment Series,’ we are committed to promoting positive cultural transformation at all levels of our institution.”

The impact of the series is evaluated through participant feedback and monitored incidents, with a focus on reducing behavioral issues and fostering a proactive approach to addressing conflicts. The ongoing series will expand its reach in the upcoming academic year with the introduction of new sessions, including trauma-informed resources and conflict resolution training.

In addition, the advisory board has collaborated with campus stakeholder groups to revise key policies for clearer language on appropriate conduct among faculty and academic staff. Some of these initiatives have included the Revocation of Honors and Awards Policy, Consensual Amorous or Sexual Relationships with Students Policy and the Self-Disclosure Requirement of Unprofessional/Criminal Conduct Policy under the Criminal Background Check Policy, among others.