Published on: September 4, 2025
A 25th Anniversary Reflection by Daniel C. Swinton, J.D., Ed.D.
Twenty-five years ago, TNG started with a straightforward mission: helping colleges and universities prevent hazing, problem drinking, and sexual violence. Back then, founder Brett A. Sokolow, J.D., traveled from campus to campus, offering training on student conduct and sexual misconduct, often with marketing and logistical support from his wife, Cori.
As Brett connected with more schools, a larger pattern emerged: many campuses were struggling with how to address behavioral issues and compliance challenges. The approaches were often unclear and inconsistent. That realization sparked the creation of TNG.
Not long after, I joined the team as a partner. What began as an effort to train higher education professionals has since grown into a national consulting firm.
Milestones That Defined Our Mission
In 2007, the Virginia Tech shooting brought national attention to the urgent need for coordinated behavioral intervention. In the years that followed, we built on our existing work of helping institutions create collaborative, cross-departmental approaches to threat assessment and violence prevention. That momentum led to the founding of NABITA in 2009, a national association dedicated to supporting early intervention and building safer communities.
Then came the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter, a watershed moment in the history of Title IX. It elevated the urgency of addressing sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence, issues we had long helped schools address through training and guidance. Within months of the new federal guidance, we hosted our first training event for the Title IX field and founded ATIXA. The association has since grown to serve over 17,000 members with the tools, training, and community they need to stay compliant with ever-changing Title IX regulations.
Evolving Into a Trusted Partner for Thousands of Institutions
As awareness of and the needs pertaining to school violence, mental health, and civil rights compliance expanded, educators and administrators sought support. We responded by hiring specialists, adapting our materials, and collaborating closely with leaders in K-12 and higher education to achieve practical approaches. Helping students feel safe and supported has, and continues to be, at the heart of our work.
Today, TNG, along with our member associations NABITA and ATIXA, serve clients in higher education, K-12 education, workplaces, and organizations, providing expert guidance on compliance, conduct, and risk management. ATIXA has conferred over 73,000 certifications, and NABITA has surpassed 18,000. We’ve built long-term partnerships with general counsel, civil rights administrators, student affairs, human resources, school boards, legal teams, and faculty unions. Our work focuses on designing proactive systems, policies, and procedures that are clear, consistent, and compliant with state laws and federal regulations.
What Defensibility Means
Too often, K-12 and higher education institutions struggle with policies that are fragmented or informal. A single harassment complaint might involve referencing multiple, inconsistent documents, even within the same institution or district. TNG, NABITA, and ATIXA streamline processes by helping implement unified policies that provide clarity, regardless of leadership changes and legal fluctuation.
We co-create policies that schools, districts, and institutions can implement, informed by decades of practical experience. We understand institutional pressures because we’ve faced them ourselves. Our recommendations are grounded in legal rigor, human context, and operational realities.
When we say our work is defensible, we take that seriously. For instance, at the University of Dayton, I conducted an investigation that eventually made its way through the federal court system. The judge noted the investigation’s legal strength and adherence to due process. In a field where legal challenges are frequent, that kind of affirmation matters. It reassures us that our approach isn’t just thorough; it stands up when it counts.
Interim Services to Stabilize and Strengthen
Six years ago, we began offering interim management services to help institutions during leadership transitions and crises. Whether stepping in as a Title IX Coordinator, Title VI specialist, or Dean of Students, TNG consultants provide more than a placeholder. We help stabilize operations, repair fractured systems, and build long-term capacity.
These engagements are intentionally short-term. Our role is to create momentum, guide institutions through change, train and build expertise, and then step back, leaving behind stronger, more resilient systems.
A Case Study in Lasting Impact
One of our most transformative partnerships has been with a state’s Department of Education. Before our collaboration, each school in the state operated independently, resulting in inconsistent practices and confusion around how to address harassment and discrimination that led to inconsistent outcomes.
Over the course of seven years, we worked closely with the state and its legislature, both virtually and on-site. We helped develop a centralized system for managing complaints that remains responsive to its various communities and cultural nuances. That collaboration continues today and stands as a model for how we work: long-term, high-trust, and deeply grounded in the realities of each client.
Why We Do This Work
The most rewarding feedback comes from school and campus leaders who tell us we helped them move from crisis to clarity. Whether over a few days or many months, we’ve helped institutions make meaningful progress. We often hear from training attendees who say, “You kept my attention for two days,” and later, “That policy changed how we work.”
Our mission isn’t to be the permanent solution. It’s to equip clients with the tools, insight, and confidence to do the work themselves, while knowing we’re here when they need us.
Looking Ahead: Still Purpose-Driven, Still People-Focused
Twenty-five years in, we’re not just reflecting, we’re building forward. Our reach has expanded, but our mission remains constant: to support educators, administrators, and institutions in creating and maintaining safe, supportive learning environments. As legal and cultural landscapes shift, we’ll continue to meet the moment with real solutions, practical expertise, and a conviction that robust systems can transform lives.
Join us in shaping the next 25 years of safer, stronger education. Learn more at www.tngconsulting.com.