About Us

Meet The Title IX Team

Over the past year, we have made tremendous strides in building a team of highly dedicated and skilled professionals. Since February 2022, we added and filled two new positions: the Title IX Analyst and Interim Title IX Project Manager. We also filled two vacant Title IX Investigator positions, recruited an Interim Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and engaged a nationally recognized Title IX expert to serve as our Interim Title IX & Gender Equity Officer. 

The goal was to find the right people – people who approach their work with care and compassion, and who are eager to serve our campus.  In the coming months, we will continue to make improvements to our Title IX program. During the fall of 2023, the university will continue its national search for an Associate Vice President for Title IX and Equal Opportunity.  As part of the search process, the university will be seeking community input from students, staff, and faculty through listening sessions and open forums.


Interim Title IX and Gender Equity Officer

Peter Lim

Interim Title IX and Gender Equity Officer 
408-924-7289 | peter.lim@sjsu.edu

Role: Peter is responsible for coordinating SJSU’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX.  

About: Peter is a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group, a practice group dedicated to helping educational institutional prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. Peter previously served as a senior Title IX Investigator at the University of Pennsylvania and a sexual violence and homicide prosecutor with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. He brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and organizational skills based on his work with colleges and universities across the country. In his free time, Peter enjoys spending time with his family. He is a proud Philadelphia sports fan (painful) and loves all things food.


Title IX Analyst and Intake Coordinator

Kelsie Cleveland

Title IX Analyst and Intake Coordinator
408-924-7276 | kelsie.cleveland@sjsu.edu 

Role: Kelsie provides direct support to individuals impacted by and accused of sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence. She responds to new reports with outreach, conducts intake meetings to explain (and demystify) the Title IX investigation process, and oversees the provision of supportive resources. She is often the first point-of-contact for the office, and brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and empathy to her role.

About: Prior to joining SJSU, Kelsie spent five years serving as a Title IX expert at another large university. She brings a wealth of experience and vision to this university, and is a critical member of the Title IX and Gender Equity Office.


Title IX Analyst

Melissa Retana

Title IX Analyst
408-924-7276 | melissa.retana@sjsu.edu

About: Melissa graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies with a passion for promoting equity and justice. As a former intern for Sonoma State's Title IX office, she actively contributed to creating a safe & inclusive campus environment, handling investigations, and supporting awareness campaigns. Beyond her professional pursuits, Melissa finds joy in being a cat mom to Deuce.


Title IX Project Manager

Andrew Nguyen

Title IX Project Manager
408-924-7285 | andrew.d.nguyen02@sjsu.edu

Role: Andrew supports the Title IX and Gender Equity Office with many of its core responsibilities, including assisting the Interim Deputy Title IX Coordinator with the intake and initial assessment process; supporting the Title IX and Gender Equity Officer with the investigation and adjudication processes; preparing individual, tailored Title IX trainings; and ensuring the timely implementation of all aspects of the DOJ Resolution Agreement. 

About: As an undergraduate, Andrew majored in Business Administration. He received his Master’s Degree in Informatics: Cyber Security and Privacy, and he has worked in various roles within higher education. Andrew is trained in Conflict Resolution Tactics and has extensive experience working with video and graphic productions. In his free time, he enjoys listening to K-pop and R&B music and is a huge fan of modern classic cars.


Title IX Investigator

Mary Keating

Title IX Investigator
408-924-7288 | mary.keating@sjsu.edu 

Role: Mary conducts investigations of complaints made against students, staff, and faculty alleging violations of the CSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation.  Throughout the investigation process, Mary ensures that those making complaints and those responding to complaints are treated fairly and respectfully.

About: Mary is an attorney with decades of experience conducting Title IX and workplace investigations.  She has received specialized training and holds certifications from the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Association of Workplace Investigators, and ATIXA. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley.

A recent transplant, Mary enjoys the California outdoor lifestyle, live music, arts and crafts, and murder mysteries (but not as a direct participant). In her free time, Mary volunteers at the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality & Anti-Discrimination Law.


 Title IX Investigator

Arielle Egan

Title IX Investigator
408-924-7278 | arielle.egan@sjsu.edu

Role: Arielle is an experienced investigator tasked with conducting investigations of complaints made against students, staff, and faculty alleging violations of the CSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation.  During the investigative process, Arielle ensures that Complainants and Respondents are treated equitably and have equal opportunities to share information and the names of witnesses.

About: Arielle is an experienced attorney who has specialized training on the impact of trauma. She served as a public defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia where she investigated and tried cases in both adult and juvenile courts. She then joined a private firm and assisted with a variety of serious criminal defense cases at the state and federal level.

Arielle recently moved to San Jose after spending years on the east coast. She is excited for the warm weather and to drag her wife on as many hikes as she'll agree to.