JD Smiser begins role as new Title IX Coordinator

Following the departure of Ryan Nely, James “JD” Smiser was promoted to Truman State

University’s Title IX Coordinator during .October 2024.

After earning his Bachelor of Science from Truman State during 1995 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri School of Law during 2002, JD Smiser ran his own private firm in northeast Missouri before returning to Kirksville nearly a decade and a half later. Smiser has worked for Truman since August 2016, serving an eight-year role

as the University’s former Director of Citizenship and Community Standards. After going through the interview process, Smiser was granted the role of Truman’s new Title IX coordinator.

The Title IX coordinator and the Institutional Compliance Office are in charge of assuring the University’s compliance with Title IX and discriminatory matters by making sure that the University has non-discrimination policies that comply with state and federal law. The Compliance Office also receives and investigates reports of potential misconduct, coordinates supportive and protective services and facilitates hearings related to any Title IX violations.

Smiser is excited to step into this role, as he thinks the Title IX office has always done and will continue to do what is best for the students. While he thinks there is always going to be room for improvements, Smiser knows his new role on campus is an important one that he will not take lightly.

“I do think that we are a university that absolutely cares about [Title IX violations] not happening on our campus and doing everything we can to prevent sexual assaults on campus,” Smiser said. “Unfortunately, sexual assaults are a nationwide, long-term problem in our country. And I would not have taken this job unless I knew that our campus was not one of those that doesn’t take this seriously,”

The Title IX and Institutional Compliance Offices overlap with many other departments at the University, one of the most important of those being the Athletics Department. While they don’t interact too often there is still some overlap in certain cases, and both departments collaborate to host a yearly Compliance Meeting for student-athletes regarding Title IX policies. 

This recent change in Title IX leadership coincides with the recent addition of Signe Coombs as the University’s new Athletic Director during December 2024. Coombs thinks it is important to have strong partnerships on campus, with the Title IX office being one of those affiliations, and that strengthening those relationships is important to ensure that well-being and safety for students is at the forefront of both departments. 

“I stress the importance of creating and strengthening strong partnerships with all campus partners, and certainly with the Title IX office and JD,” said Coombs. “I’m currently getting to know everyone and meeting everyone, and I look forward to working alongside him, to continue strengthening our partnership and serve our campus community. ”