Published on: August 17, 2026
An ATIXA Testimonial by Ann Ciancia, J.D., MBA, SHRM-CP
When I graduated from Syracuse University College of Law during COVID, I knew one thing: I didn’t want to follow the traditional path into litigation. Throughout law school, I had focused on public interest work, civil rights, and supporting marginalized communities. I wasn’t sure what that would look like as a career.
After clerking in family court and reconnecting with a former Title IX Coordinator who had mentored me as an undergraduate student, I found my way into higher education and eventually into Title IX work. I later joined Union College, where I was finally able to become an ATIXA member after wanting to for years. Not long after, I saw an email about ATIXA Mentor Match.
Learning from Someone Who Had Built the Office I Envisioned
I’ve worked in the Title IX field for several years now, but I’ve never considered myself an expert. The law is constantly evolving, and I’ve always believed there’s value in learning from people who have been doing this work longer than I have. That’s what led me to sign up as a mentee.
I was matched with my mentor, Emily Babb, J.D., an ATIXA Advisory Board member who has worked for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and has many years of experience in Title IX administration. Our conversations quickly became much more than I expected.
In addition to our monthly one-on-one meetings, she brought together all her mentees for group discussions. Many of us worked at smaller institutions and were offices of one, so we weren’t just learning from Emily; we were also learning from each other.
When Title IX Conversations Became a Larger Institutional Vision
Initially, I expected we’d spend our time talking about Title IX. Instead, our conversations shifted to Title VI. As New York state began moving toward requiring Title VI Coordinators, I wanted my institution to think more broadly about civil rights compliance.
Emily had already built the type of comprehensive Office of Civil Rights I hoped my institution could someday create. I independently researched her institution’s policies, asked her how they worked in practice, and we talked through what that vision could realistically look like at my institution.
She helped me understand that institutional change isn’t something you accomplish overnight. It comes from working with stakeholders, building support, and understanding how to navigate your own campus culture.
Working in an office of one can be isolating. The people around you may support you, but they don’t always understand the work. You’re the Coordinator, investigator, case manager, educator, programming coordinator, and often the person carrying every difficult conversation. Having someone outside your institution who understands those realities is invaluable.
Our Official Mentor Match Ended, But the Mentorship Didn’t
After our formal Mentor Match relationship ended, we continued to meet monthly. Sometimes we talk about policies. Sometimes we talk about career development. Sometimes Emily simply asks, “What are you doing to take care of yourself?” People in this work don’t always ask each other that, and I believe it’s important we holistically care about the person in this role.
What made my experience with Emily so exceptional wasn’t simply ATIXA’s matching process. It was that we both invested in the relationship, stayed curious, and allowed the conversations to evolve beyond what either of us expected.
We met in person at the ATIXA Annual Conference, attended sessions together, and had lunch with colleagues. It reinforced that this wasn’t a formal mentoring assignment. It is a professional relationship that I’ll carry throughout my career.
From Seeking Guidance to Guiding Others
Today, our Board of Trustees has approved our transition to an Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, and we’re implementing a more holistic approach to discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.
As I’ve attended ATIXA conferences and connected with colleagues, I’ve found myself answering the same questions I once asked Emily. Being able to share what I’ve learned and help other institutions think through similar transitions has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. That’s one of the things I appreciate most about Mentor Match. It helped me grow professionally while preparing me to help others do the same.
Looking back, I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today without both Mentor Match and the ATIXA community. The mentoring relationship, the trainings, and the professional network all worked together. They didn’t just help me become a better Title IX Coordinator; they helped me envision and build something bigger.
Don’t be afraid to join ATIXA’s Mentor Match. It could be as transformative for you as it was for me.