Trinity Appoints Shannon Lynch as Title IX Coordinator, Ends Two-Year Vacancy for Position

Faith Monahan ’24 

News Editor  

Shannon Lynch has been appointed as Trinity’s Title IX Coordinator, according to an email from Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Compliance Pamela Whitey Friday afternoon. Lynch’s appointment marks the end of a two-year vacancy for the position after former Associate Director of Human Resources Venice Ross, who also served as Trinity IX Coordinator for over a year, left Trinity for SOHO Health in Aug. 2019. Lynch will arrive at Trinity to begin her work in November.  

“Shannon will support Trinity’s ongoing work to create a campus culture that is welcoming and inclusive for students, faculty, and staff. She will serve as the primary contact to coordinate the college’s response to all Title IX allegations through consistent practices and standards that are fair and equitable,” said Whitley in her email. “Those who interviewed her noted her strong communication skills, her experiences conducting interviews and preparing witness statements, and her knowledge of Title IX.” 

Lynch received a B.A. in Communications from Howard University and a J.D. from Western New England University School of Law. Lynch previously served as a Law Clerk and Litigation Specialist at Raipher P.C. in Springfield, Massachusetts. Before her time at Raipher, Lynch worked as a Law Clerk to the Title IX Coordinator and General Counsel at Western New England University. In this position, Lynch prepared witness statements for issues—concerning equity and discrimination—referred to the university by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Office for Civil Rights. Lynch also volunteers as a Legal Representative on the Human Rights Committee for the May Institute.  

Prior to Lynch’s appointment, Trinity’s Title IX Coordinator position had lacked a permanent appointee to fill the position for over two years since September of 2019. Originally, the College’s goal for appointing a new Title IX Coordinator was last fall, but as with most plans for 2020, this deadline was pushed back by a significant amount of time. Last fall, the search committee narrowed down their search to two candidates, but neither candidate was ultimately selected. The college had not provided any specific reasons for the lack of appointment. 

During the open student forums held for the Title IX candidates in September, Lynch focused on the importance of having an open-door policy and utilizing social media for communication, education, and prevention across the Trinity community. The Title IX Coordinator search committee, which hosted the forums, included: Adrienne Fulco, Associate Professor of Legal and Policy Studies and Director of the Public Policy and Law Program; Jorge Lugo, Office Assistant for Campus Safety; and students Deion Kelly ’23 and Luz Cumpa Gomez ’24.  

Prior to Lynch’s appointment, Renita Kelly served as Interim Title IX Coordinator from Sept. 2019 until earlier this month. Amanda Brahm, who recently assumed the position, will remain Interim Title IX Coordinator until Lynch’s arrival.