Red Hawk Spotlight: Ashante Connor, Director of Equity and Title IX Coordinator

Ashante Connor serves as the director of Equity and Title IX coordinator at Montclair State University. Connor, who holds a EdD in Organizational Leadership in Higher Education, focuses on Diversity, Equity, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title IX, Sex Discrimination, Equity in Hiring, and training initiatives and programs. Her most recent project includes implementing the University’s first campus climate assessment to evaluate perceptions related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Connor also serves as chair of the Governor’s Commission for Campus Sexual Assault (CSAC) with the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education since 2020. She leads CSAC’s efforts in implementing recommendations from the NJ State Plan for Higher Education which includes a vision for creating safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Connor has worked at the University since 2021 and has enjoyed working with staff and aiding them in resolving conflicts with empathy and grace in addition to overseeing the Title IX Compliance program. No stranger to higher education, she previously served in various capacities including diversity, equity, student affairs and higher education administration at William Paterson University, Towson University and Berkeley College.

As a first generation college graduate and first to earn a terminal degree in her family, Connor earned her doctorate from Abilene Christian University in Texas. She earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Towson University in Maryland and aBachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Kean University in Union, New Jersey.

When she’s not working to amplify marginalized voices and encourage new perspectives, she enjoys being a proud pet parent along with her husband, Sean, to their two dogs, Bruno Mars and Justice, their parrot, Sasha, and their hairless cat, Mr. Sphinxxx. She also enjoys traveling, live music and fine cuisine.

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