Published on: March 17, 2026
A Joint NABITA and ATIXA Testimonial by Dena Massey, Sierra College
After 22 years as a Special Agent in federal law enforcement, conducting and directing felony criminal investigations, I wanted to continue serving people in a meaningful way. I was drawn to Title IX and now serve as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator and EEO/Employee Relations Investigator at Sierra College in California.
When I transitioned into Title IX work, the investigative responsibilities felt familiar. Interviewing, analyzing information, building findings, and documenting processes are skills I refined over decades of leading high-stakes investigations into criminal and national security allegations, as well as misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and serious policy violations, often in sensitive or classified environments.
In federal law enforcement, failing to follow the governing legal framework can collapse an entire investigation. Evidence can be suppressed, and cases can be lost. That discipline followed me into higher education.
Teaching the Reasoning Behind the Regulations
Title IX looks deceptively simple at first glance. I remember reading the statute during my interview process and thinking, “This is only 37 words.” Then I joked with a friend who had made a similar move into Title IX that this must be why there are entire law firms dedicated to this work.
As I entered the field, I sought professional development to understand the rationale behind the regulations and how they are structured. I learn best when I understand the reasoning for a rule. ATIXA stood out to me because it did not shy away from the legal framework that underpins the work.
Given my background in threat management, I also wanted training that would help me translate those skills into a higher education setting, and NABITA was a natural fit. The Joint ATIXA and NABITA Annual Conference in October 2025 offered the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in both Title IX and threat assessment.
At the conference, I attended sessions hosted by both associations and earned certifications in ATIXA’s Title IX Coordinator Foundations Level One: Sexual Harassment for Higher Education and NABITA’s Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment (SIVRA). There were several time blocks in which I found myself choosing between multiple compelling presentations, which speaks to the depth of the programming. I appreciated having access to the presentation materials afterward so I could review content from sessions I was unable to attend. I also participated in sessions focused on California-specific issues and connected with colleagues from other California colleges. Those conversations added valuable practical context.
NABITA and ATIXA faculty members moved beyond theory to share lessons drawn from real campus scenarios and decision-making processes. The clarity they brought to policy development and implementation resonated with me, particularly because the instructors currently serve, or have served, in Behavioral Intervention Team and Title IX roles. Their guidance reflects direct, applied experience.
Using Notes More Than My Regulations Binder
I usually handwrite my notes, but during the Title IX Coordinator Foundations course, I switched to my laptop because I was taking so many notes. Over the two-day course, I produced about 10-12 pages of detailed notes. There were many small but important details that I knew would matter later.
I have revisited those notes multiple times. In one instance involving pregnancy-related accommodations, I disagreed with my colleague, who had also completed ATIXA training. I went back to my notes and found exactly what one of the instructors said. That clarification informed our next steps. Under deadlines, it is often faster to reference trusted notes than to dig through regulations every time.
I also downloaded all supplemental course materials from the NABITA and ATIXA event lobbies. When I needed a reliable, printed version of the Title IX regulations, I located the PDF in my files and sent it directly to our campus print shop. Having those resources easily accessible made a tangible difference.
Staying on the Curriculum Path
Since the conference, I have earned certifications in NABITA’s Risk Rubric and Building an Individualized Threat Management Plan. I am intentional about where I want to focus next. I am drawn to developing my Title IX coordinator skill set and expanding my capacity to support our campus community.
My goal is to take the next course in the Title IX Coordinator curriculum path and ultimately pursue ATIXA Credentialing. That will depend on institutional support, but I appreciate that NABITA and ATIXA provide Supervisor Justification Letter templates to help articulate the value of that investment.
Starting with a Strong Foundation
I am still learning what I do not yet know, but the trainings I have completed so far have provided a strong foundation and practical tools I use regularly. One principle I strongly believe is that investigative skills are transferable. While administrative and criminal investigations operate in different environments, their core competencies are the same: working within a legal framework, asking thoughtful and strategic questions, and carefully evaluating information. ATIXA’s training helped me adapt those skills to the Title IX context.
NABITA and ATIXA have been instrumental in my transition into threat assessment and Title IX work, and they continue to support my professional growth. Both associations provide clearly outlined curriculum pathways aligned with roles in higher education and K-12, making it easier to pursue training that builds credibility and expertise over time.
I encourage professionals new to their roles to follow the NABITA and ATIXA curriculum pathways and continue seeking ways to translate their expertise into new applications.