In celebration of Women's History Month, the Chancellor's Commission on Women will present a virtual panel discussion on the theme "Fifty Years of Title IX" from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, via Zoom.

Panelists will discuss the impact of Title IX legislation on women's access to education and athletics in higher education from a historical perspective.

• Shanita Pettaway, director of Title IX Compliance and Title IX coordinator
• Shannon McFarlin, Title IX deputy coordinator/investigator
• Beverly Lewis, former associate vice chancellor and executive associate athletic director, director of Women's Athletics and track and cross country coach

The panel will be moderated by Laura Jacobs, vice chancellor for University Relations and chief of staff.

Register and post a question in advance.

Participant Biographies

Recipient of a host of awards and distinctions, inductee of a host of honor and professional societies, and first-generation college graduate, Shanita Pettaway is an alumna of Auburn University (Ph.D., M.Ed., Graduate Certificate in college & university teaching), Southern University Law Center (J.D.), Southern University and A&M College (M.P.A.), and Alabama A&M University (B.S.). She serves in a host of capacities on various levels in her community, church and career fields, including service as chair of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Holmes Programmatic Advisory Committee and recent selection to the Higher Learning Commission Peer Corps. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Shannon McFarlin is the Title IX deputy coordinator/investigator at the U of A. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Prior to joining the U of A, she worked for the court system and police department in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, working with sexual assault and domestic violence cases.

Bev Lewis was a pioneer for women's athletics throughout her 33 years at the U of A, 19 of which (1989-2007) she spent as the director of Women's Athletics. During her tenure, the U of A moved to increase athletic participation for women with the addition of volleyball, golf, gymnastics and softball.

Lewis' career at Arkansas began in 1981 when she joined the Lady Razorbacks as a cross country, track and field coach. As her career evolved, Lewis did double duty as a coach and administrator, taking over as director of Women's Athletics in 1989. She handed over her coaching responsibilities in 1990, dedicating herself to the advancement of Arkansas' women's athletics program through her administrative role. For nearly two decades, Lewis oversaw a separate Department of Women's Athletics that served the unique needs of the female student-athlete. The addition of four sports, the construction of the largest women's only strength and conditioning center, and the addition of nutrition and mental health programs are just a few of the many advancements Lewis engineered.

Lewis received one of her greatest personal honors as Bob and Marilyn Bogle requested that a newly constructed administration building dedicated to women's athletics be named the Bev Lewis Center for Women's Athletics in 2003. Lewis' leadership was also key to the construction of Bogle Park and Razorback Field, the home to Razorback softball and Razorback soccer, respectively. Lewis served collegiate athletics at the highest level as an administrator, as a member of the NCAA Management Council, the NCAA Championship Cabinet and the Southeastern Conference Executive Committee. In 1998, she was voted into the U of A Hall of Honor for her contributions as a coach and administrator.

Panel moderator, Laura Jacobs, is vice chancellor for the Office of University Relations and chief of staff at the U of A. In addition to serving as a representative of and a liaison to the chancellor to whom she provides strategic leadership support, Jacobs oversees the offices of University Relations and Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX. She has taught public relations courses for the U of A journalism department, including a seminar in public relations and PR writing.

Jacobs has participated in many community and civic engagements including services on the board of directors for the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, a member the U of A Women's Giving Circle and the Chancellor's Commission on Women. She is an Executive Advisory Council member for the InSeitz Women's Empowerment Center, a member of the Walton Arts Center Council and co-chair of the Town and Gown advisory committee. In 2020, she was named Staff Ally of the Year by the U of A Graduate Professional Student Congress.

About the Chancellor's Commission on Women: Founded in 2010, the Chancellor's Commission on Women is an advisory group charged with reviewing and monitoring policies, programs and issues to ensure that all women at the university are given the best possible opportunities for success within the institution and in their professional and college careers. Membership comprises both graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff who serve on staggered three-year appointments to ensure fresh and diverse points of view. The group collectively decides on issues to address each year, and relies on input from colleagues, students, and occasional surveys to gain a sense of the campus' interests and needs.