Published on: August 1, 2025
An ATIXA Tip of the Week By Saundra K. Schuster, J.D., M.S., ATIXA President
Every fall for the past 13 years, civil rights compliance professionals have gathered for ATIXA’s Annual Conference, but we have exciting news about this year’s conference. For the first time, we are partnering with professionals from the National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA) for a truly collaborative event. If you attend a single professional development event this year, the 2025 ATIXA and NABITA Annual Conference on October 14-16 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor is the one to prioritize.
We’re deliberately blending expertise, community, and practical learning in a way that speaks directly to the professionals doing this work, many of whom wear multiple hats across compliance, conduct, behavioral intervention, human resources, and equity.
Real People, Real Experiences
Our experts across ATIXA and NABITA aren’t just theorists offering educated opinions; we’re practitioners with real-world experience, some with 25 years at TNG. We’ve been in your shoes. By the time someone joins our team as a consultant, trainer, or speaker, they possess an impressive depth of relevant experience. They’ve worked through the real-life complexities of cases, crises, and institutional challenges. That perspective brings a richness to every conference session we offer, and the conference is a great venue to learn from both our experts and campus-based experts and practitioners, together.
Want to be trained by our experts? In addition to the conference, we offer Pre- and Post-Conference certification programs in both foundational and advanced topics. Pre-Conference courses take place on October 13-14, with Post-Conference courses running from October 17-18, offering an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge and amplify your professional impact. Additionally, registering for the conference and completing any certification training unlocks a discount.
Timely, Responsive, and Unscripted (On Purpose)
One of the highlights of every annual conference is our plenary session, and this year’s edition offers an in-depth look at the current state of the fields of both ATIXA and NABITA.
Unlike sessions planned months in advance, this one is intentionally kept unscripted. Right before the conference, I check in with our partners and ask, “What’s keeping you up at night? What issue are you working through or hearing from our clients that feels urgent, meaningful, and worth exploring in-depth?”
The plenary is a responsive, real-time processing of the most pressing concerns in our field. Each contributor brings not just their point of view, but also a willingness to explore ideas in conversation, live, on stage. We welcome tough questions and embrace constructive challenges, holding ourselves and one another to the highest standards of excellence. This session is moderated to keep it grounded and productive, but the content is fresh and relevant to the moment we’re all navigating. That’s the spirit we’ll carry into this year’s joint conference.
Blending Intersecting Fields
Another reason this year’s event stands out is the intentional blending of communities. We know that many professionals work across domains. One day, you’re wearing your Title IX coordinator hat, and the next, you’re shifting into BIT conversations. We’re building shared sessions that foster cross-pollination, especially given the intersectional nature of the work of behavioral teams and Title IX teams (or non-discrimination teams).
There are compliance professionals who require more behavioral context. There are BIT members who could benefit from a deeper understanding of due process and procedural fairness. Bringing everyone together enables a richer knowledge base and a more informed, holistic approach. Bring your cross-institutional team to the conference and receive discounted pricing while fostering shared insights and teamwork.
Of course, the conference is about more than just the sessions. It’s the conversations in the hallways, the informal meetups, the chance to sit next to someone from a different school and realize you’re solving the same problem in slightly different ways. Those connections matter.
August Deadlines: Key Opportunities You Don’t Want to Miss
As we prepare for the 2025 Annual Conference, August is filled with essential deadlines and exciting opportunities. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of the experience:
- Early Bird Registration: Great news! We’ve extended our early bird rates until August 22nd, giving you more time to save on conference registration. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your spot at a discounted price!
- Scholarship Applications: Do you need financial assistance to attend? Scholarship applications are open until August 29th. This is a fantastic opportunity for Title IX and BIT/CARE team professionals to access funding opportunities for this invaluable event.
- Concurrent Session Proposals: Do you have a case study, legal analysis, innovative practice, or research insight you’re proud of? Submit your concurrent session proposals by August 29th. Be sure to include clear learning outcomes that spark meaningful dialogue and inspire attendees to engage.
- Affinity and Community Groups: Foster connections, network, and share valuable insights by participating or volunteering to lead an Affinity or Community Group by August 29th.
- Community Education and Marketing Showcase: Share your institution’s most impactful marketing and outreach efforts by submitting a showcase proposal by August 29th.
August is a busy month, so don’t let these opportunities to contribute and connect pass you by!
Join Us in Baltimore in October
This is more than a conference; it’s a community of people who care deeply about doing their work well and doing it together. We hope to see you in Baltimore. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro, this event is designed to stretch your thinking, connect you with others, and equip you with practical tools you can use.
If you’re already a member of ATIXA or NABITA, take advantage of your preferred price registration for both the conference and the pre-/post-conference certification courses.
Not a member yet? Become an ATIXA member or a NABITA member.