Jessica H. Donahue Rhodes

Title IX Coordinator
Old Main 107
304-696-2934

Biography

Jessica H. Donahue Rhodes, Esq., is the Title IX Coordinator at Marshall University, being named to that position in February of 2023 after serving as the Interim Title IX Coordinator for several months. As Title IX Coordinator, Jessica coordinates Marshall’s efforts to comply with its obligations under Title IX and the Title IX regulations. The responsibilities include coordinating any Title IX investigations of sexual misconduct complaints and contacting survivors of sexual misconduct to ascertain how they want to proceed with their matter.

Jessica obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Marshall in 2000. She then attended the West Virginia University College of Law and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2003. Jessica is admitted to practice law in all state courts in West Virginia as well as both federal districts in West Virginia, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Jessica began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Circuit Judge David W. Nibert in the Fifth Circuit of West Virginia. After that, she spent a few months at Legal Aid before returning to the Fifth Circuit to serve for three years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Mason County, West Virginia. Before she arrived at Marshall, Jessica served as Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel at the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel for twelve years, investigating and prosecuting legal ethics violations involving attorneys. Before her current role at Marshall, Jessica served as the Title IX Investigator at Marshall from June 2021 until November 2022.

Outside of her work, Jessica is a huge fan of Star Wars. She enjoys spending time with her husband, who is also a massive Star Wars fan.

Overseeing the university’s response to Title IX reports and complaints and identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems revealed by such reports or complaints.
Conducting and/or assigning Title IX investigations, including the investigation of facts relative to a complaint.
Conducting and/or assigning Title IX investigations, including the investigation of facts relative to a complaint.
Ensuring adequate training for students, faculty, and staff on Title IX issues.
Promoting an educational and employment environment free of sex discrimination and gender bias.