A Message from President Harroz – Office of Institutional Equity Update

I write today with an update on the leadership of the university’s Office of Institutional Equity. I am pleased to announce that, pending final approval by the OU Board of Regents, Honey Ussery will join OU as Associate Vice President and Institutional Equity Officer. This

Executive Officer-level position plays an essential role in promoting an equitable and safe educational and work environment at OU by leading the Institutional Equity Office, which helps the OU community prevent and respond to all forms of protected class harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct.

Honey currently serves as the Assistant Director of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, and we are eager to welcome her to OU on August 30.

Please join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to Marci Gracey from our Office of Legal Counsel, who in recent months has led the Office of Institutional Equity in an interim capacity, providing instrumental leadership while we worked to fill this critical role.

During Honey’s almost nine-year tenure at the University of Mississippi, she has expanded its Title IX office by adding key staff members, drafting and implementing multiple policies, and has helped improve the office’s focus and procedures with Title VII investigations. Her passionate approach to her work ensures she stays up to date with new regulations related to Title IX, court decisions concerning Title VII, and other regulatory areas, including rules governing Title IX in athletics.

Honey’s legal career began with the Mississippi Third Circuit District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney, where she handled a variety of complex cases, including those involving sexual assault and domestic violence. She is a three-time graduate of Ole Miss, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and English, a Master of Arts in Journalism, and a Juris Doctorate.

Throughout her professional endeavors, Honey has been a collaborative leader who demonstrates professionalism, diligence, and intentionality. We look forward to working alongside her to build lasting change at OU.

Please join me in welcoming Honey to the OU Family.