Compliance & Ethics

Spotlight: Maggie Denney

Maggie Denney, M.Ed., LMHC, CCEP, leads Title IX/VAWA Compliance within the Office of Compliance & Ethics. In her role as the Title IX Coordinator and Title IX/VAWA Compliance Officer, she and her team of compliance professionals are responsible for receiving and responding to complaints of discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking) involving USF students and employees.

Maggie joined USF in 2016 as a member of the Office of Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention, where she assisted crime victims. An expert in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Maggie was responsible for training all USF employees on important legislation that provides rights to complainants and respondents. Maggie transitioned to Title IX & ADA Compliance in 2017, serving as both a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and the ADA Coordinator. As the Assistant Director of Title IX, she developed the first large-scale Title IX training program at USF, all while ensuring the University remained compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Maggie was part of a team responsible for developing a robust Title IX/VAWA program at USF, and in 2018 she made the decision to focus solely on that area of compliance, relinquishing her position as the ADA Coordinator. She turned her attention to creating a Title IX case management system, significantly improving response times and resolution of Title IX reports. She also created the first Title IX internship program at USF.  In 2022, Maggie accepted the position of Title IX Coordinator and Director of Title IX/VAWA Compliance, after serving as the Interim Director for a year. She has since expanded the Title IX/VAWA unit, adding a Deputy Title IX Coordinator position for USF Health, and a full-time Case Manager position. In her role as Director, she has created and implemented policy, overseen the investigation and resolution process for Title IX complaints, and ensured employees and students receive federally mandated training.  To date, she has trained over 10,000 USF employees and students.

Maggie is a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP). She earned a Master of Education from the University of Texas RGV, and Bachelor of Communication summa cum laude from the University of Houston-Victoria. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and previously worked as a trauma counselor with secondary survivors of homicide, secondary survivors of suicide, and sexual assault survivors. She is a former tall ship captain and for several years Maggie lived at sea aboard large sailing vessels.