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EDUCATION about and PREVENTION against relationship-based violence.
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A conference on preventing and responding to relationship violence on college campuses.
About the Conference
The Heartland Campus Safety Summit is a regional and affordable conference for college and university administrators, faculty, staff, and students interested in improving their campus efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. The 2026 Heartland Campus Safety Summit is scheduled for November 18-19 at the University of Kansas.
The Summit is designed for key college personnel from the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Those invited include: Title IX coordinators, college/university legal representatives, campus and public safety officers, residential life and student affairs personnel, athletic directors, women’s center staff, student leaders, health and counseling professionals, and other campus and community representatives interested in campus safety.
Thanks to corporate and foundation sponsors and partnerships, we are able to keep Heartland Campus Safety Summit registration fees extremely affordable. Our rationale is to encourage campuses to send multi-disciplinary teams to attend, increasing the impact of the Summit on every campus represented. We are committed to hosting a wide range of regional campus safety representatives at every Summit while maintaining the highest quality conference of its kind.
The Heartland Campus Safety Summit is the result of a collaborative relationship between Jana’s Campaign, Inc., the University of Kansas, and the KU Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center. Utilizing their expertise and knowledge of the field, these partners provide conference coordination and facilitation for the Summit. Other colleges, universities, and advocacy groups are participating as supporters and collaborators for this project.
The Summit is designed for key college personnel from the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Those invited include: Title IX coordinators, college/university legal representatives, campus and public safety officers, residential life and student affairs personnel, athletic directors, women’s center staff, student leaders, health and counseling professionals, and other campus and community representatives interested in campus safety.
Thanks to corporate and foundation sponsors and partnerships, we are able to keep Heartland Campus Safety Summit registration fees extremely affordable. Our rationale is to encourage campuses to send multi-disciplinary teams to attend, increasing the impact of the Summit on every campus represented. We are committed to hosting a wide range of regional campus safety representatives at every Summit while maintaining the highest quality conference of its kind.
The Heartland Campus Safety Summit is the result of a collaborative relationship between Jana’s Campaign, Inc., the University of Kansas, and the KU Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center. Utilizing their expertise and knowledge of the field, these partners provide conference coordination and facilitation for the Summit. Other colleges, universities, and advocacy groups are participating as supporters and collaborators for this project.
2026 Conference Information
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Quick Links:
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Speakers, program information, and Presentations
Pre-Conference Speaker
Lauren Starnes, JD
Consultant, TNG; Resolution Officer, FAIR Center
Lauren Starnes is a Consultant at TNG, specializing in Title IX, Section 504, ADA, and civil rights compliance for both higher education institutions and K-12 schools and districts, including those with dual enrollment programs, nursing, and allied health programs. Starnes leads trainings for a wide range of audiences and regularly develops and delivers customized sessions on Title IX compliance, mandatory reporting, Section 504 and ADA compliance, accessibility, interviewing minors, K-12 risk management, athletic compliance, and civil rights investigations. She provides state-specific training on protections for pregnant and parenting students, supports higher education and K-12 clients through consulting and policy development, advises higher education and K-12 clients on compliance, and serves as an expert witness. Before joining TNG, Starnes was the Director of Institutional Equity at South Texas College, where she served as the Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator. In that role, she served on the Clery Committee, participated in Behavioral Intervention Team meetings, and was a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. Earlier in her career, Starnes practiced law as a commercial litigation associate at Husch Blackwell LLP, where she litigated cases involving breach of contract, trade secret disputes, and class action defense. She also had a significant pro bono practice, representing clients in adoptions, post-conviction relief, and victims of human trafficking. Prior to her legal career, Starnes taught middle school English and coached swimming and cross-country at a private K-12 school. She also gained experience interning with the Juvenile Division of the Orleans Public Defender’s Office and as a law clerk for both the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, where she worked with students under guardianship and supported schools in meeting their IEP and Section 504 obligations. Starnes is passionate about solving problems and supporting institutions and schools in meeting legal requirements while building systems that serve both students and employees effectively. She holds a J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where she served as an associate justice on the moot court board, competed on and coached multiple moot court teams, and worked as a student-attorney in the domestic violence clinic. She earned a B.A. in English from Washington and Lee University, where she was a four-year member of the collegiate swim team. Starnes is admitted to the Tennessee State Bar and the U.S. District Courts in Tennessee and previously served on the board of the Southeast Tennessee Legal Association for Women and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Penalty Matrix Committee. She lives in Kansas City, Kansas, with her husband, two daughters, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Summit Keynote, Plenary, and General Assembly Speakers
Kenneth Scott
Founder, REACH | Creator of Social Health Brand | Adj. Professor, Rice University
K. Scott created the Social Health Brand, a framework that helps students understand who they are, build meaningful relationships, and create opportunities through intentional connection. A professor, author, and former professional athlete, he works with educational institutions and organizations to strengthen identity, belonging, and student development through workshops, speaking engagements, and experiential learning programs.
Thecia Jenkins
Training Director, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
Thecia Jenkins is the Training Director with Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, a nonprofit that coordinates system response to domestic violence to increase victim safety, hold batterers accountable, and prevent further acts of family violence. She has been developing curricula and training professionals in law enforcement, healthcare, education, and social services on the topics of domestic and sexual violence, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed response for thirty years. She is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University and holds certifications in Diversity, Mediation, Behavioral Consulting, Emotional Intelligence, Trauma-Informed Practitioner, and coaching. As an expert on domestic violence, Thecia has been hired as a consultant and speaker in Trinidad and Tobago and West Africa (Accra, Ghana) to train clergy, victim advocates, and law enforcement. She consulted and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network’s production of The Book of John Gray, addressing the issue of sexual assault. Thecia’s favorite quote is “No significant learning occurs without a relationship” ~ Ruby Payne
Andi Otto
Program Specialist, Public Education Campaigns & Programs, Futures Without Violence
Andi Otto advances Futures Without Violence’s national prevention efforts to engage men and boys in the movement to end violence. With a deep commitment to violence prevention and trauma-informed practices, Andi believes that educating and engaging boys and men, alongside fostering healing from trauma, is essential for transforming a culture of harm into one of care and accountability. Prior to joining FUTURES, Andi worked as a Violence Prevention Education and a Sexual Assault Counselor at a local rape crisis center. She earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal, Child, and Family Health from the University of North Carolina and a BS in Biology from Georgia Institute of Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature in any capacity, trying out various forms of art, and spending time with her loved ones and sweet cat.
Kamaile Patton
Program Specialist, Public Education Campaigns & Programs, Futures Without Violence
Kamaile is a Program Specialist at Futures Without Violence, where she supports national initiatives to engage men and boys as partners in ending and preventing violence. Her work centers on shifting cultural norms that contribute to harm and fostering greater connection through training and technical assistance, curriculum development, collaborative learning spaces, and practical tools and resources for community partners such as college campuses, athletic coaches, DVSAS advocates, and educators. By cultivating healthy relationships, positive mental health, and more expansive understandings of gender and masculinity, Kamaile’s work is grounded in the belief that safer, more connected communities are possible. With experience in gender equity work across nonprofit, government, and research settings, Kamaile brings a community-informed, prevention-focused approach to program development. Prior to joining FUTURES in 2022, Kamaile earned her Master of Public Affairs from Brown University and her BA in Peace & Conflict Studies from Chapman University.
Lauren Starnes, JD
Consultant, TNG; Resolution Officer, FAIR Center
Lauren Starnes is a Consultant at TNG, specializing in Title IX, Section 504, ADA, and civil rights compliance for both higher education institutions and K-12 schools and districts, including those with dual enrollment programs, nursing, and allied health programs. Starnes leads trainings for a wide range of audiences and regularly develops and delivers customized sessions on Title IX compliance, mandatory reporting, Section 504 and ADA compliance, accessibility, interviewing minors, K-12 risk management, athletic compliance, and civil rights investigations. She provides state-specific training on protections for pregnant and parenting students, supports higher education and K-12 clients through consulting and policy development, advises higher education and K-12 clients on compliance, and serves as an expert witness. Before joining TNG, Starnes was the Director of Institutional Equity at South Texas College, where she served as the Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator. In that role, she served on the Clery Committee, participated in Behavioral Intervention Team meetings, and was a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. Earlier in her career, Starnes practiced law as a commercial litigation associate at Husch Blackwell LLP, where she litigated cases involving breach of contract, trade secret disputes, and class action defense. She also had a significant pro bono practice, representing clients in adoptions, post-conviction relief, and victims of human trafficking. Prior to her legal career, Starnes taught middle school English and coached swimming and cross-country at a private K-12 school. She also gained experience interning with the Juvenile Division of the Orleans Public Defender’s Office and as a law clerk for both the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, where she worked with students under guardianship and supported schools in meeting their IEP and Section 504 obligations. Starnes is passionate about solving problems and supporting institutions and schools in meeting legal requirements while building systems that serve both students and employees effectively. She holds a J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where she served as an associate justice on the moot court board, competed on and coached multiple moot court teams, and worked as a student-attorney in the domestic violence clinic. She earned a B.A. in English from Washington and Lee University, where she was a four-year member of the collegiate swim team. Starnes is admitted to the Tennessee State Bar and the U.S. District Courts in Tennessee and previously served on the board of the Southeast Tennessee Legal Association for Women and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Penalty Matrix Committee. She lives in Kansas City, Kansas, with her husband, two daughters, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Summit Keynote, Plenary, and General Assembly Speakers
Kenneth Scott
Founder, REACH | Creator of Social Health Brand | Adj. Professor, Rice University
K. Scott created the Social Health Brand, a framework that helps students understand who they are, build meaningful relationships, and create opportunities through intentional connection. A professor, author, and former professional athlete, he works with educational institutions and organizations to strengthen identity, belonging, and student development through workshops, speaking engagements, and experiential learning programs.
Thecia Jenkins
Training Director, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
Thecia Jenkins is the Training Director with Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, a nonprofit that coordinates system response to domestic violence to increase victim safety, hold batterers accountable, and prevent further acts of family violence. She has been developing curricula and training professionals in law enforcement, healthcare, education, and social services on the topics of domestic and sexual violence, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed response for thirty years. She is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University and holds certifications in Diversity, Mediation, Behavioral Consulting, Emotional Intelligence, Trauma-Informed Practitioner, and coaching. As an expert on domestic violence, Thecia has been hired as a consultant and speaker in Trinidad and Tobago and West Africa (Accra, Ghana) to train clergy, victim advocates, and law enforcement. She consulted and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network’s production of The Book of John Gray, addressing the issue of sexual assault. Thecia’s favorite quote is “No significant learning occurs without a relationship” ~ Ruby Payne
Andi Otto
Program Specialist, Public Education Campaigns & Programs, Futures Without Violence
Andi Otto advances Futures Without Violence’s national prevention efforts to engage men and boys in the movement to end violence. With a deep commitment to violence prevention and trauma-informed practices, Andi believes that educating and engaging boys and men, alongside fostering healing from trauma, is essential for transforming a culture of harm into one of care and accountability. Prior to joining FUTURES, Andi worked as a Violence Prevention Education and a Sexual Assault Counselor at a local rape crisis center. She earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal, Child, and Family Health from the University of North Carolina and a BS in Biology from Georgia Institute of Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature in any capacity, trying out various forms of art, and spending time with her loved ones and sweet cat.
Kamaile Patton
Program Specialist, Public Education Campaigns & Programs, Futures Without Violence
Kamaile is a Program Specialist at Futures Without Violence, where she supports national initiatives to engage men and boys as partners in ending and preventing violence. Her work centers on shifting cultural norms that contribute to harm and fostering greater connection through training and technical assistance, curriculum development, collaborative learning spaces, and practical tools and resources for community partners such as college campuses, athletic coaches, DVSAS advocates, and educators. By cultivating healthy relationships, positive mental health, and more expansive understandings of gender and masculinity, Kamaile’s work is grounded in the belief that safer, more connected communities are possible. With experience in gender equity work across nonprofit, government, and research settings, Kamaile brings a community-informed, prevention-focused approach to program development. Prior to joining FUTURES in 2022, Kamaile earned her Master of Public Affairs from Brown University and her BA in Peace & Conflict Studies from Chapman University.
Explore this year’s lineup of sessions and start planning your Summit experience. We’re excited to bring together campus professionals for meaningful conversations, practical strategies, and new ideas for prevention and response efforts on campus! View the 2026 Session Descriptions here.
Registration, hotels, and location
Register now for the 2026 Heartland Campus Safety Summit! Early-bird registration is $175 per attendee and is available through Friday, October 30. After October 30, the registration fee will increase to $200 per attendee. We’re excited to partner with ATIXA and TNG Consulting to bring an engaging half-day pre-conference experience to the 2026 Heartland Campus Safety Summit! Pre-conference Registration: $250 per participant. You can add the pre-conference to your full Heartland Campus Safety Summit registration, allowing you to expand your learning before the Summit officially begins.
- Quality Inn and Suites Lawrence – University Area - (786) 843-9100
- The Oread - (785) 843-1200
- Eldridge Hotel - (785) 749-5011
- Comfort Inn and Suites Lawrence – University Area - (785) 330-7241
- Springhill Suites by Marriot Lawrence - (785) 841-2700
- Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Lawrence - (785) 727-1825
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Lawrence - (785) 749-7555
- Hampton Inn Lawrence - (785) 841-4994
- Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Lawrence - (785) 841-7077
The Heartland Campus Safety Summit will be held in the Burge Union on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, KS. Once registered, attendees will receive further information on Summit location, parking, and logistical details.
past summits
2013-2025 Heartland Campus Safety Summits
sponsors/exhibitors
If you are interested in sponsoring this Summit or reserving an exhibitor booth please view our opportunities here.
Proposed Summit Topics
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Summit Objectives
Campus leaders will be encouraged to develop a team of key campus stakeholders to create a comprehensive and integrated approach to preventing and responding to relationship violence at their institutions. Furthermore, promoting a focused and coherent system of support that encourages respectful, non-violent relationships will also be addressed. The summit’s ultimate goal is to transform area colleges and universities to:
- Prevent abusive behaviors by engaging faculty, staff, and students in promoting healthy relationships;
- Ensure that the institution is prepared to respond promptly and effectively to incidents and reports of violence when they do occur; and
- Ultimately to change campus norms so that campus members hold themselves and each other to respectful and non-violent standards of interpersonal behavior.
This framework was developed by Futures Without Violence and the Avon Foundation for Women
Summit CoordinatorsJana's Campaign Staff
University of Kansas and KU Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center |
Summit Sponsors
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Summit Feedback
"Love this opportunity to connect with peer practitioners in the region." " I thought the conference ran smoothly, the topics were interesting, and the content was thought-provoking." |
"Powerful and informative." "Always a great conference that is affordable." |
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are interested in sponsoring this Summit or reserving an exhibitor booth please view our opportunities here.
