Mary Howell Sirna has been named director of equal opportunity and Title IX coordinator following a national search. Her appointment began March 25 and is pending approval by the state Board of Regents.
Sirna had been serving as interim director since July. She worked in the same capacity from October 2015 to April 2016 and again from October 2021 to May 2022.
Mary Howell Sirna
"Mary has an excellent set of credentials and has demonstrated success as interim director on three occasions," President Wendy Wintersteen said. "I am delighted she will permanently lead this office to support our efforts ensuring all students, faculty and staff have access and opportunity to work hard and succeed."
Reporting to the president's office, Sirna will oversee the office of equal opportunity responsible for supporting equal access to employment and educational opportunities, including investigating complaints of discrimination and sexual misconduct and ensuring compliance with federal Title IX, Title VI, Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"I am honored for the opportunity to serve in this role, and I want to thank President Wintersteen for entrusting me with this responsibility," Sirna said. "I look forward to continued collaboration, transparency and communication with the Iowa State community to ensure students, staff and faculty have an equal opportunity to learn and work free from discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, consistent with the university's values and Principles of Community."
Because of its compliance function, this position is not subject to the yearlong hiring freeze for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) positions at the three regent universities required as part of the state's FY 2024 higher education appropriation. Nor is it part of the current review of positions and programming required by the regents' 10 DEI directives.
Since 2013, Sirna has served as the administrative advisor and attorney on staff for ISU police. She is a member of the investigative and threat assessment teams and manages the Story County Sexual Assault Team, for which Iowa State is a partner agency. Prior to that, she served as first assistant county attorney in the Story County attorney's office.
Sirna holds bachelor's degrees in political science and theater arts from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts; and a J.D. from the University of Iowa.
