Office of Institutional Culture Staff
LaNeeça R. Williams (she, her, hers) (931) 221-7690
Earned Certifications: Association of the Title IX Administrators (ATIXA)--Civil Rights Investigator-Level 1, Title IX Coordinator- Level 2, ADA/504 Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities: Leading the OIC, Title IX Intakes, Title IX Investigations, Trainings/Workshops, Institutional Culture Programming
LaNeeça R. Williams began in her role July 2019, to direct and manage the newly formed Equity, Access and Inclusion office. At APSU, Williams was responsible for developing and integration of the strategic plan for diversity, including recruiting diverse talent, fostering an inclusive work environment, the compliance of Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, and ADA for employees, and ensuring accountability of those efforts through the office. Since assuming the role, Williams has established a framework for policy and practices that have advanced how APSU conducts Title IX investigations, including supporting several campus members being trained as certified investigators.
The office has since changed its name to the Office of Institutional Culture, and Williams has a new title as the Chief of Institutional Culture and Title IX Coordinator as she conitnues to work with leadership to implement strategies for developing actionable and attainable institutional culture plans/programs for every unit/department within the campus community. Williams works with several campus members to conduct training and informational sessions to help foster a more inclusive environment that is welcoming for all campus members that address ism's and bring awareness to social justice issues. She conducts, on average, about 40-plus educational session each year on campus in collaboration with campus departments.
Williams is also a member of the President's Senior Leadership Team, Cabinet, and Council and several other University Committees. She is the founding members of GRACE (which stands for Grief, Restoration, and Caring Employees), a campus affinity group for grieving employees. She is an ex-officio member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Williams is also a proud member of the Maxine Smith Fellows, class of 2022 and Leadership Clarksville, class of 2023. Williams working with Leadership Clarksville in 2023-2024, to Chair the Religion, Non-Profit, and Inclusion Day for the class of 2024. She most recently became a member of the Montgomery County Human Relations Commission.
Prior to arriving at APSU, Williams was the Chief Diversity Officer/Deputy Title IX Coordinator at the University of Evansville, the Director of Affirmative Action/EEO and Diversity & Title IX Coordinator at Colorado State University-Pueblo, and the Assistant Director of Affirmative Action and Diversity at Indiana State University, where she served as the Interim Director for one year. She has received "Student Advisor of the Year" at every university she has worked except APSU, as well as other awards like Executive Director of the Year and Employee of the Year.
Williams received her Master's and Bachelor of Science degrees from Indiana State University in Education. She is currently pursuing her doctorate from Johnson University in Tennessee in Business and Public Leadership, emphasizing educational leadership and is currently a doctoral candidate or ABD. Williams is married to Rodney (for 29 years) and they have four children (Korrie, who earned her heavenly wings in 2019; Korbin, who lives in Colorado; Korrin, who is an education major at APSU; Korrick, who is a senior at Northest in the STEM academy, and a dog named Ruby Dee who enjoys listening to Sade and a little Neo-Soul with LaNeeça after Saturday morning workouts).
Sheila M. Bryant
(931) 221-7178
Earned Certifications: Association of the Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), and the American with Disabilities Network.
Primary Responsibilities:Title IX, VI, VII Investigations for Faculty, ADA Accommodations for Faculty, & Faculty Search/Recommendations for the Hiring Process
Sheila M. Bryant is the Director of Equal Opportunity & Investigator. Mrs. Bryant provides leadership in the recommending, developing, and implementing policies, procedures and programs regarding all aspects of equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, equity, access, and disability. She serves as the Title VI and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the University with responsibility for investigating allegations of discrimination and harassment, identifying and addressing any patterns of systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints, and preventive education/training for students and university personnel. Mrs. Bryant also serves as the University's American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. She is a member of the President's Cabinet and serves on various campus committees (e.g., Athletic Committee, Committee for Person's with Disabilities, and the Sexual Misconduct Programming Committee).
Prior to her current position as the Director of Equal Opportunity & Investigator, Mrs. Bryant served as the University Registrar at APSU with responsibility for the collection of grades, maintenance of academic student records, review and certification of degree requirement and graduation. Other responsibilities included supervision of office personnel, athletic eligibility certification, committee presentation, and bulletin preparation. Prior to joining APSU in 1990, Mrs. Bryant worked at the College of Charleston (CofC) in Charleston, SC in several capacities, the last one serving as the Assistant Registrar in the Office of the Registrar.
Mrs. Bryant earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Tennessee State University in 1994 and a Bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston in 1985. She is married to Joe L. Bryant and they have a sixteen-year-old child, Madisen.
Jayme Dunn
(931) 221-7160
Earned Certification: Association of the Title IX Administrators (ATIXA)--Civil Rights Investigator-Level 1 Advisor, and ADA Coordinator
Primary Responsibilties:Title IX, VI, and VII Investigations for Staff and Students, ADA Accommodations for Staff, Staff Search/Recommendations for the Hiring Process
Jayme started her career with Austin Peay State University in June of 2023.
Jayme originates from Waterloo, IA with a Master's Degree in Business from the University of Phoenix and received her undergraduate degrees from Upper Iowa University and Hawkeye Community College. Prior to her role with Austin Peay State University she was a Student Services Specialist for Waterloo Community School District. As a Student Services Specialist, Jayme has several years of experience working with conflict resolution of student issues, complaints, investigations, and a multitude of initiatives related to students.
Jayme is looking forward to continuing her expereince in education through the lenses of higher education and being and active participant of the Austin Peay community and assisting the university in reaching its stratetic goals and initiatives.
Jayme believes that her empathy and compassion for others is what makes her stand out. She feels very strongly that the way you speak to others and what you say is the key to any interaction and communication. This thought process assists all communication efforts, especially those of a sensitive nature.
She relates with the three "C's" of Austin Peay: "Experience Change, Experience Community, Experience Compassion' and looks forward to helping those she encounters to do the same.
Jayme lives in Clarksville with her fiancé and has one daughter. She is looking forward to the calmer winters of a southern state and enjoys the diversity and culture of the local area.
Ashley Puskas
(931)-221-7267
Ashley Puskas is the Coordinator for Institutional Culture. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations within the OIC. She will be able to assist in investigations by helping with intakes. Mrs. Puskas orchestrates the Appreciation and Belonging Hours hosted by the OIC. These casual meetings occur once a month during the fall and spring semesters, spotlighting the hard-working employees of the University. Faculty and staff are invited to enjoy snacks and fellowship with employees from different departments and to hear from President Licari. Ashley will also be instrumental in helping with the employee experience as a member of the Pillar 3 Committee for the APSU Strategic Plan.
Ashley is a native of Dickson County and a second-generation alumna of Austin Peay. She earned her bachelor's degree in Geoscience in 2010 and continues to explore her passion for rocks. Her husband, Eddie, is a veteran of the US Army and graduated from APSU Fort Campbell in 2013. Together, they enjoy long walks with their dogs, spending time outdoors, and traveling the world.
When Ashley joined the OIC in July of 2024, she brought with her a wealth of experience from her 5.5 years of service to the University. During this time, she supported fundraising efforts for scholarships and the University, coordinated the APSU Foundation Board meetings, and assisted with donation processes. Ashley's belief in the power of giving back to the APSU community, beyond just financial contributions, is what drives her passion for her work within the OIC.