[author: Aura Cazares]
Over the past two decades, my career in higher education has been guided by a philosophy anchored in understanding behavior, balancing compliance with support, and fostering a campus climate where people feel valued and heard. When resources are limited, prioritizing the right professional development for yourself and your team becomes crucial.
This is where organizations like ATIXA and NABITA excel. The trainings support multidisciplinary teams and individuals who wear many hats. They go beyond teaching regulatory compliance; they train practitioners to skillfully and meaningfully apply their knowledge to make a real impact.
Practical and Actionable Training
At Oakland University, I serve as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our institution, located in a Detroit suburb, primarily serves four-year and graduate students, with a medical school and our own police department. While I no longer work directly in Title IX, I oversee cases that come to the Dean of Students Office as part of the adjudication process.
While serving as the Title IX Coordinator and Compliance Officer at a community college in 2013, I was introduced to ATIXA, NABITA, and TNG Consulting amid evolving Title IX regulations. My job included overseeing Title IX, Clery compliance, the student code of conduct, and BIT/CARE processes. I was responsible for creating policies, procedures, implementation plans, and communication strategies. As a one-person team, ATIXA and NABITA provided me with invaluable tools to navigate the multitude of responsibilities my role required. The clear, pragmatic guidance made me feel that I had a trusted support team behind me, even when I was working alone.
In my previous and current positions, I have led CARE team strategies and conducted training initiatives. NABITA remains integral to my success. Over a decade later, what continues to impress me about ATIXA and NABITA is the practicality and immediate applicability of the trainings. I don’t have to adapt the material—it’s ready to use.
I recognize that limited budgets often mean institutions can’t afford memberships in both ATIXA and NABITA. However, the benefit of these organizations is that their trainers deeply understand the interplay between behavioral concerns and compliance, rather than treating them as separate domains. This intersectional approach ensures that the guidance provided is comprehensive and well-rounded. For the past decade and still today, when I seek advice from professionals affiliated with either organization, I trust that the recommendations are sound, regardless of whether they are from someone aligned with ATIXA or NABITA. That level of expertise and integration remains a key benefit.
Even when condensed into two training days, the certification process can feel overwhelming due to the sheer amount of information to absorb. However, I believe ATIXA and NABITA do an excellent job addressing the needs of both beginners and seasoned professionals, striking a balance that caters to a broad audience. They consistently excel at teaching different expertise levels while creating a supportive and empathetic learning environment. I’ve observed this firsthand and know I’m not alone in recognizing it.
Creating a Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment
Everyone has different thresholds for what unsettles them beyond what a trigger warning can prevent. For example, I have a high threshold, though it’s still lower than that of a law enforcement officer. Providing training to these varying sensitivities while being explicit and sensitive is no small task, and it’s something I deeply admire about the ATIXA and NABITA faculty.
The graphic nature of the scenarios presented can be shocking to those new to this work. The scenarios are current, relevant, and tailored to the cases we see, but they can be intense. We recently welcomed NABITA and TNG to our campus for an in-depth training session for professionals across diverse roles and campuses. Tim Cason, M.Ed., Vice President of NABITA and Senior Consultant at TNG, delivered the training and excelled at warning people about what was coming and encouraging them to prepare mentally. But let’s be honest—no one can fully prepare for the situations we face. Tim put attendees at ease and created an environment where we felt comfortable asking questions without fear of judgment or feeling out of place.
Why Training as a Team Matters
Training our entire team created a valuable opportunity to come together, reflect, and engage with topics directly relevant to each of our campuses. Our ongoing, regular meetings focus on problem-solving, rarely leaving room for collective learning and growth. Dedicated training sessions provide the space to refocus and realign.
That’s the benefit of communal learning. Training alongside colleagues with whom you seldom interact connects and expands your network by giving you access to more peers who can serve as guidance when questions arise. It creates a community of individuals who truly understand the complexities of the work. Collective training sessions promote personal development and team readiness, ensuring a unified approach to shared goals.
Optimizing Training Through Preparation
I’m outing myself as a nerd, but I downloaded the course materials beforehand and created a repository for myself and my team. It’s a handy resource for personal reference and a tool for training new team members during turnover. Plus, before the training, it encouraged self-discovery about what gaps the training could fill.
Before starting any training, reflect on your current needs. This preparation turns the training into an opportunity for auditing. As I learn, I focus on whether it would work for my campus. My advice: engage actively—take notes, challenge your learning style, and ask questions while it’s fresh. If something doesn’t align with your processes, address it during the training. Having NABITA faculty there to clarify on the spot was invaluable. Thinking a few steps ahead helped me get the most out of the experience.
I’ve noticed many NABITA and ATIXA training participants share this approach—they’re proactive learners who engage deeply with the material. Since teams have diverse learners, I recommend assigning one team member who enjoys preparing and learning in this way to review and familiarize themselves with the materials. This groundwork sets the stage for a more impactful experience during the team debrief. Familiarity and preparation give you a sense of control to get the most out of the experience. Over time, the advantages of each training session compound, increasing your team’s effectiveness.
Investing in professional development through ATIXA and NABITA shows a commitment to compliance, behavioral intervention, and team development. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional, the insights you gain will empower you to serve your community better. Don’t wait to take advantage of the resources until your team is bigger or you are more experienced.
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