Published on: February 12, 2026
An ATIXA Testimonial by Sarah Hooper, M.Ed., Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Case Manager, Texas A&M University
I never expected a simple LinkedIn share to lead to such a fantastic opportunity. When ATIXA announced a social media giveaway for a free registration to their 2025 ATIXA and NABITA Joint Annual Conference, I shared it without a second thought. I admire the work ATIXA does, and I was hopeful I’d win the giveaway.
I was shocked when I found out I had won and was initially not sure I would be able to attend. However, my boss encouraged me to attend the conference, which also allowed me to take an extra day and visit my daughter and granddaughter in the Washington, DC area.
I flew to Baltimore, MD, along with Brett Stevens, a new Case Manager in our office, for an experience that proved invaluable to my role as Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Texas A&M University.
The Human Side of the Work
One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was sharing it with my daughter, Savannah Wenzel, a Senior Equity and Title IX Investigator at George Washington University. It was Savannah who inspired me to enter the Title IX field, after I had spent years in K-12 administration, followed by eight years in higher education. Being in a professional space like ATIXA with her felt like a full-circle moment.
This was Savannah’s first ATIXA conference, and experiencing it together added a personal layer to professional learning. During the sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), we compared generational perspectives. As a millennial, she was not shocked, while Brett, our Gen Z case manager, was nonplussed. I, on the other hand, was freaking out. We laughed about having conversations during the conference involving kink and sex, topics which I imagine most mothers and daughters do not usually discuss. Beyond the conference, I enjoyed Maryland crab cakes, explored Baltimore, and even squeezed in a visit with my granddaughter. These moments reminded me that our work is deeply human, no matter how procedural it can feel.
I often tell people, “I don’t work on the happy side of the university, but I do work on the important side.” With more than 80,000 students, our office manages Title IX, Title VI, and Title VII reports, with a team of six case managers and seven investigators. Our team has grown significantly from just two case managers when I started, transforming how effectively we support our community.
We work closely with Employee Relations, Student Assistance Services, Student Affairs, Faculty Affairs, and all the academic colleges across campus. I also serve on the Student Behavioral Intervention Committee and our Special Situations Team. This collaboration and overlap with colleagues on the NABITA side is essential to serving students and employees well, and we’re fortunate that our campus partners recognize the importance of our work.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
Last year, I attended the ATIXA Winter Symposium in Orlando and knew this year’s experience would be just as valuable. Given that a hot topic in higher education involves civil rights discrimination cases, my main goal was to learn how other institutions are addressing these emerging challenges. At Texas A&M, with such a large student body, our processes and structures are strong, so I approached the conference with curiosity, eager to compare strategies and gather best practices from peers. The sessions exceeded my expectations.
The three AI-focused sessions stood out as the most interesting. AI is rapidly expanding in higher education, and I wanted a better understanding of the challenges on the horizon. I was surprised to learn that people use AI not just for academics or work, but also for personal relationships. Understanding the validation a person could derive from an AI relationship also helped me see how these dynamics could create environments where discrimination or sexual harassment occurs.
Another session explored informal resolutions, specifically a restorative justice model implemented by a smaller institution. They had developed their own student training program, which immediately resonated with the educator in me. I kept imagining how impactful it would be to create behavior-specific learning outcomes for our students. The presenters shared that designing the program required blocking off several days for dedicated focus, a challenging task in this field, but clearly worthwhile. The idea stuck with me, and I hope to explore it further.
I also appreciated the wide range of topics covered, especially the joint ATIXA and NABITA format. This setup allowed me to seamlessly move between sessions on Title IX issues, BIT-focused topics, and broader discussions about supporting students and employees. That flexibility made the learning experience both comprehensive and practical.
The People, The Presenters, The Energy
As an introvert who doesn’t love networking, I found making connections at this event surprisingly easy. I had meaningful conversations with attendees between sessions, met colleagues from the Texas A&M System whom I typically only see during our annual training, and built connections that I’m optimistic will last beyond the event.
The exhibitors this year were outstanding. We visited nearly all of them, and I was especially impressed by those showcasing innovative consent-education tools and a film resource we saw that could potentially be incorporated into student programs. Everything felt relevant, practical, and thoughtfully selected.
ATIXA’s closing keynote was truly a highlight. While we missed the opening session due to flight delays, the closing session was engaging, inspiring, and a perfect way to wrap up the week.
What’s Next for Me
Last year at the ATIXA Winter Symposium, my team and I completed the Title IX Coordinator Foundations certification course, and next year I hope to return for the Level Two course. My goal is to keep growing. Our caseloads are changing, and our community is evolving. I want my training to stay current so I can stay prepared.
I’m incredibly grateful for the giveaway that made this trip possible. It allowed me to bring Brett, our new case manager, spend time with my daughter and granddaughter, reconnect with colleagues across the A&M System, and return home with fresh ideas to strengthen the work we do every day.
Join ATIXA and NABITA at their next joint in-person event, the Winter Symposium, or in the fall for their next Joint Annual Conference, and save the date for ATIXA’s 2026 events.