Trinity University Announces Directors of Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX Compliance

Trinity University has named Michaela Postell as the new director of Title IX Compliance and Wiley Graham as the new director of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Compliance. Both Postell and Graham will lead the Office of Equal Opportunity Services within Human Resources and in partnership with Dr. Brandi Jones, vice president of People, Culture, and Community (VPPCC).

“I’m excited to have two candidates with complementary strengths. Michaela brings a strong student focus from her background in residential life and student affairs. Wiley brings great legal knowledge and experience with employment law, Clery compliance, and Title IX. This gives Trinity a much more comprehensive approach to all of the areas that are covered by equal opportunity services,” Jim Hertel, Chief Human Resources Officer, says.

Meet Michaela Postell, Ed.D.

Postell will join the Trinity community in October, bringing extensive experience from the University of North Texas, where she has held roles such as Assistant Director for Student Conduct & Community Standards, Equal Opportunity Investigator, Assistant Director for Equal Opportunity and Title IX, and most recently, Deputy Title IX Coordinator & Investigator. 

Her expertise covers Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, the Clery Act, VAWA, sexual harassment and assault, and non-discrimination and harassment issues involving all protected classes. Postell earned her Doctorate of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, as well as a Master of Arts in Health Science and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Alabama.

“I am excited to join the Trinity community and contribute to a thriving campus where diversity is celebrated, and every member is empowered to make a meaningful impact,” says Postell.

At Trinity, Postell will be responsible for ensuring the University's compliance with policies and laws regarding sexual misconduct and sexual violence. Her responsibilities will include overseeing educational programs for students, faculty, and staff.

Meet Wiley Graham, J.D.

Graham joined the Trinity community in September and previously worked as the System Clery Compliance Coordinator for the University of Houston System. Before that, he served as a Title IX Coordinator and Acting Chief Compliance Officer at Texas Southern University. 

Graham is an experienced and meticulous compliance professional with a proven track record in developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive compliance programs within higher education institutions. Graham received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School and his Bachelor’s in Management from Michigan State University.

At Trinity, Graham will assume a role aimed at promoting compliance where he will collaborate with Human Resources colleagues, including Postell, to ensure adherence to University policies and laws concerning equal opportunity, anti-harassment, non-discrimination, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence. His responsibilities will include overseeing educational compliance and prevention programs for students, faculty, and staff.

"We must see our diversity as a strength, not a weakness,” Graham says. “How pointless would life be if we all shared the same background and identity? It is important to understand that creating and managing a diverse workforce is a process, not a destination.”

Postell and Graham will both be responsible for responding to, investigating, and resolving complaints; coordinating outreach with both on-campus and off-campus stakeholders; and identifying and addressing any systemic issues related to these complaints.

The hiring of two directors is part of a holistic effort to bolster Trinity’s commitment to people, culture, and community. As VPPCC, Jones expanded her portfolio to include oversight of Human Resources, guiding the dynamics between individuals and their work to foster both personal and organizational success.

This commitment is further underscored by her emphasis on fostering a culture of care: “To foster a culture of care that is inclusive and welcoming to all, we increased staff support to enhance timely and appropriate responses to reports, provide supportive measures, and execute prevention training for the campus community,” Jones says.

The separation of these two roles reflects her dedication to supporting individual talent development and creating institutional structures and cultures that empower employees to excel in a welcoming environment.

Jones invites the Trinity community to join Postell and Graham in person on Wednesday, October 9, at 3:33 p.m. for Nacho Hour in the Coates Student Center!