Title IX

WCJC is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive educational environment free from all forms of gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence. Join us in promoting a respectful campus community by exploring our Title IX resources, policies, and procedures.

File a Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Report

Equal Opportunity and Title IX Statements

Equal Opportunity 

WCJC is committed to equal opportunity for all students, employees, and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, and for all beneficiaries of programs financially assisted under Title I, WIOA based on citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States or their participation in any WIOA Title I financially assisted work or program.

No person, including students, faculty, staff, part-time staff, and temporary workers, will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination or harassment under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by WCJC based on the categories listed above. 
WCJC is committed to ensuring an educational and employment environment free from discrimination and harassment based on sex.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is the federal statute that prohibits discrimination based on sex. It reads, "No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to the discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

WCJC's Title IX Coordinators are the college officials responsible for coordinating compliance with Title IX, including grievance procedures resolving Title IX complaints.

Meet Our Title IX Staff

Questions about WCJC policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VI, Title IX and Section 504), and complaints should be brought to the following college officials:

Rachel Bahnsen

Title IX Coordinator for Employees, Dean of Human Resources
Address: Administration Building, Room 206, Wharton Campus
911 Boling Highway
Wharton, Texas 77488
Phone: 979-532-6947
Email: bahnsenr@wcjc.edu 

Lindsey McPherson

Title IX Coordinator for Students, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Address: Pioneer Student Center, 2nd floor, Wharton Campus
911 Boling Highway
Wharton, Texas 77488
Phone: 979-532-6905
Email: mcphersonl@wcjc.edu 

Staff Training

  • Changing Cultures and Climates: Adopting Strategies to Proactively Prevent Sexual Harassment in Higher Education, Texas A&M University, Oct 2023
  • Title IX and Sexual Harassment, Safe Colleges, Sep 2023
  • Title IX and Sexual Harassment Prevention for Employees, Safe Colleges, Sep 2023
  • Title IX: Regulations and Roles Overview, Safe Colleges, Sep 2023
  • Title IX: Roles of Employees, Safe Colleges, Sep 2023
  • Investigating Incidents of Dating Violence, D.Stafford & Assoc, Dec 2021
  • Use of Technology in Stalking Cases, D.Stafford & Assoc, Dec 2021
  • Title IX and Sexual Harassment Prevention for Employees, Safe Colleges, Sep 2021
  • Combined Sexual Misconduct and DVDVS Investigator Training, Aug 2020

WCJC Sexual Misconduct CEO Reports

WCJC employees have a duty under the Texas Education Code - Senate Bill 212 to report sexual misconduct, even if they are confidential employees. The Code states that all employees of public and private higher education institutions report sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and/or stalking against a student or employee to the campus Title IX Coordinator.

Employees may report sexual misconduct by contacting either Title IX Coordinator directly via email or phone or filling out the sexual misconduct report form. 

Per the Texas Education Code , colleges must provide an annual summary report of reports made by college employees (effective Jan 1, 2020). Check out the previous reports below: