Welcome to Molly O’Malley, NEOMED’s new assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion and Title IX coordinator. O’Malley joins us from a position at Youngstown State University, one of NEOMED’s partner universities.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a Northeast Ohio native. I grew up in Warren, Ohio, and graduated from Howland High School. I went on to earn my bachelor’s in education from YSU, then my master’s in higher education from Walden University, an online school based in Minneapolis.
I’m also a bowler. I’ve been bowling since I was seven, so more than 20 years now. My parents own a pro shop inside a bowling alley and while I was in college, I managed the bowling alley the shop is in. I met my partner in a bowling alley and my parents met in a bowling alley, too!
What will your job as assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion and Title IX coordinator entail?
For the diversity part of my job, I will oversee student groups, like the American Sign Language Club and the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association. I’ll work with Andre Burton, the executive director of the office of diversity, equity and inclusion, to help present our annual series of public programs. I’ll also join Andre in sitting on the University’s diversity council.
For the Title IX portion, I will cover all aspects of Title IX at our University. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based or gender identity discrimination at educational institutions. Title IX includes harassment and sexual misconduct. Any reports from students, faculty and staff will come to me if they are reported to a campus stakeholder other than me.
I’ll also be responsible for keeping up with compliance issues, like reporting, watching legislation and making sure our policies are up to date with the federal government.
Students, faculty and staff are welcome to come directly to me with their concerns or questions. My office is located in R-180 and my extension is 6736.
What inspired you to apply for a position at NEOMED?
I like that NEOMED is smaller, similar to my first job in higher education. I worked at a small, private, for-profit career college in Columbus. I like that NEOMED has a small enough group of students and campus that it will be easy to get to know the people who are walking around.
How did your time at YSU prepare your position at NEOMED?
When I was a housing coordinator at Youngstown State University I oversaw one freshman building and two upper-class buildings, including one with family housing. I wore so many different hats in housing: I’ve dealt with Title IX issues from a non-investigative standpoint where I was a first responder, and I sat on YSU’s conduct board for alleged violations of the Code, such as dating violence. I also oversaw student groups like the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and worked with diverse groups of students, such as YSUnity (the University’s LGBT+ student group) and Bridges out of Poverty — YSU’s student group that works alongside its poverty simulation program.
What are you excited for at NEOMED as you continue to settle in?
I’m looking forward to meeting the students, especially the ones within the diversity groups that I’m advising. I’m excited for the picnic, too. We’ll have a table there, so stop by and say hi!
What’s your favorite local spot?
Cockeye BBQ in Warren, Ohio. Their Mess Plate (macaroni and cheese topped with pulled pork, cheddar cheese, sauce and onion rings) is the best thing in the world. My tip: Get it with cheesy potatoes instead of macaroni and cheese.