Mission | We seek to advance the interactions of higher education institutions with children and youth. We serve as a coordinated voice promoting good practices for protecting vulnerable populations and providing programming and resources appropriate to their needs.

Vision | With guidance and support of the Higher Education Protection Network, colleges and universities advance the well-being of children and youth with whom they interact.

To carry out this mission and vision, HEPNet is guided by the following values:

Accountable. We are accountable to our mission and to the public good.

Collaborative. We work together productively and respectfully.

Ethical. We act with integrity and fairness in all our dealings.

Expert. We develop and promote reliable knowledge.

Inclusive. We champion a welcoming and broadly diverse community.

Innovative. We develop and embrace new solutions.

Professional. We promote organizational efficacy.

Responsive. We address requests and obligations in a helpful, timely manner.

 

 
BYLAWS
  
ANNUAL REPORTS
  
5 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
  

 

Staff 

Bond2019-129 (1)smaller.jpg

 


Executive Director

Director of Membership and Engagement
Membership Specialist

Lindsay Meyer Bond, M.Ed, MA

Kirsten Bramley

Tammi Laycox

 

[email protected]

[email protected] 

  [email protected]
 

Strategic Advisors

HEPNet’s Strategic Advisors are trusted professionals who offer long-term guidance and subject matter expertise to support our mission. While not part of formal governance or daily operations, they play a critical role in shaping the organization’s direction, strengthening partnerships, and advancing our impact across higher education.

        
     
Gina Maisto Smith
Chair, Institutional Response Group
Cozen O'Connor
       

 

Board of Directors

To fulfill our mission, HEPNet has an active and dedicated Board of Directors. All current board members are active HEPNet members and welcome your input, feedback, and ideas - please feel free to contact them. For general feedback or inquiries, please contact [email protected].

    Joanne Baptista
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, YOUTH PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE
OFFICE OF ETHICS, COMPLIANCE, AND ENTERPRISE RISK
RICE UNIVERSITY
(713) 348-5068

[email protected]
Term ending 2026

  

Melanie Bennett, JD, ARM-E
SR. RISK MANAGEMENT COUNSEL
UNITED EDUCATORS
(240) 482-0629
[email protected]
Term ending 2026

  
     James Bourgeois, JD
RISK CONSULTANT
PRAESIDIUM
(817) 801-7773
[email protected]
Term ending 2025		   Carri Burgjohann
DIRECTOR                                       
CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY
YMCA-USA
Term ending 2026		  
  David Chupak (1).jpg

David Chupak
YOUTH PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
(517) 353-6994
[email protected]
Term ending 2026

   Stacy Fair, M.Ed.
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROGRAMS AND COMPLIANCE
DEPARTMENT OF RISK ASSESSMENT
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
(919) 515-4256
[email protected]
Term ending 2026		  
 

Nate Friedman
ASSOCIATE DEAN
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
(801) 585-9781
[email protected]
Term ending 2026

   Charles Johnson, M.A.
YOUTH PROTECTION MANAGER    UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
(434) 964-8695

[email protected]
Term ending 2026

  
 

Cara Mulvaney
DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF YOUTH PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
(585) 545-9772
[email protected]
Term ending 2025

  

Dawn Riddle, MS
DIRECTOR, PROTECTION OF MINORS
OFFICE OF RISK AND INSURANCE
MANAGEMENT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
(615) 936-5935
[email protected]
Term ending 2025

  
  Brian Stone Official UGA Photo.jpg Brian E. Stone, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired)
UGA DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE FOR PROGRAMS SERVING MINORS
UGA CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION & HOTEL
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
706-542-7255 
[email protected]
Term ending 2026		   Ryan L. Van Dusen, Ph.D.

COMPLIANCE & CONFLICT RESOLUTION MANAGER
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY 
(785) 532-2832
[email protected]
Term ending 2025

  
 

 L. Williams Headshot (new).jpg

 LeeKeshia Williams

YOUTH PROTECTION PROGRAM DIRECTOR
UNIVERSITY RISK AND COMPLIANCE SERVICES
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
(512) 471-0594
[email protected]
Term ending 2026

        

 

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In 2013, four individuals interested in youth protection in higher education got on the phone and discussed current issues and questions.  

At the end of the call, they agreed to meet again the following month.  Each month brought more people to the calls as word spread.  In 2014, a Google group was formed in able to facilitate a listserve and house resources and we became known as the Youth Protection Network for Higher Education (YPNHE).  Word continued to spread and the google group quickly reached over 100 members.  Around this time, the monthly calls transitioned into a combination of guest speakers presenting on pertinent topics in addition to the open forum.   In 2016, it was decided that it was time to become a national organization so that we could better support and serve those supporting and serving minors in higher education.  Just before becoming a national association, we had over 250 members in the google group and membership for the Higher Education Protection Network (HEPNet) opened on May 15, 2017.