Leah Gutknecht

Leah initially joined the OCEM as an Associate Director and was later promoted to the position of Assistant to the President for Compliance and Equity Management and Title IX Officer. She oversees overall office operations, the functions of equal opportunity and affirmative action, and compliance with Title VII, Title IX, and ADA. Leah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Design and the Human Environment and a Master of Business Administration Degree, both from the University of Northern Iowa. 

Previous roles she has held help bring valuable experience to OCEM in workplace management, human resources, and compliance. Her years of leadership in OCEM is evidenced by implementing best practices, facilitating prevention and education efforts, profoundly understanding the community the office serves, and exhibiting innovative and proactive strategies to continually improve services. Leah is strongly committed to maintaining equity across campus and is passionate about promoting a culture of respect within the University. To this end, Leah maintains numerous certifications as an Affirmative Action Professional, Civil Rights Investigator, Mediator, and Title IX Coordinator, Hearing Officer, and Investigator. Leah is engaged at the national level with her status as an Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) Advisory Board Member, speaker, and trainer.