Kaaren M. Williamsen, a leader in sexual assault prevention work, will join the University of Michigan as the next director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center.
Williamsen currently is the Title IX coordinator at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.
Vice President for Student Life E. Royster Harper announced the appointment effective Oct. 23.
“Dr. Williamsen brings to this role many years of experience in sexual misconduct prevention, education and response efforts, having served as the Title IX coordinator at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and as Title IX deputy coordinator for prevention at Carleton College in Minnesota,” says Harper.
Williamsen is a leader in the field’s national conversation as a member of the American College Personnel Association’s Presidential Task Force on Sexual Violence in Higher Education, a member of EverFi’s Sexual Assault Advisory Council and as co-chair of the Campus PRISM (Promoting Restorative Justice Initiatives for Sexual Misconduct).
“I’ve long been impressed with SAPAC and the University of Michigan’s dedication to preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors,” says Williamsen. “I am honored and excited to work with the SAPAC team as we continue to create innovative and effective programs.”
She earned her doctorate in organizational leadership, policy and development at the University of Minnesota. She has a Master of Science in women’s studies and a Master of Arts in counseling and student personnel psychology.
Prior to her current work, Williamsen spent 15 years directing the Gender and Sexuality Center at Carleton College. As the founding director, she developed innovative sexual violence prevention programming and created institutional support services for LGBTQ students including peer mentor programs, support groups, campus education, peer education and professional development for faculty and staff.
Williamsen succeeds Nadia Bazzy, who has served as SAPAC’s interim director since March, and Holly Rider Milkovich, who left the university in January to serve as the senior director of prevention at EverFi, an education technology company.
