Derek DeBobes, J.D.
Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity (Title IX Coordinator, 504 Coordinator)
Phone: 508-793-3336
Office: Hogan 506
Email: ddebobes@holycross.edu
Derek assumed leadership of the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity in March 2020. Having spent the previous decade in equal opportunity and Title IX compliance-based roles at Brown University as the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Equity and Diversity, at Bridgewater State University as the Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator, and at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as the Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, he brings a wealth of experience in civil rights law in the education and employment context. His background includes expertise in conducting and overseeing discrimination/harassment/sexual misconduct investigations, developing and implementing policies, and administering comprehensive training and prevention education programs in institutions of higher education. Derek views the law as a tool to promote and enforce justice, equity, access and belonging. He has also previously served as a part-time instructor in the Department of Sociology at Bridgewater State University.
Derek earned his B.A. in psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his J.D. degree from New England Law Boston. Prior to law school, Derek worked for several years in human resources.
Kara Hughes
Senior Investigator
Phone: 508-793-3373
Office: Hogan 506
Email: khughes@holycross.edu
Kara joined the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity in September 2020, having come from Boston College. In addition to her time at BC, her experience working on college campuses has been shaped by her years teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, the City University of New York, and Suffolk University. Kara’s training as an investigator was gained in New York City, where she first investigated police misconduct with the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, and later investigated NYC Department of Education employees with the NYCDOE’s Office of Special Investigations. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Kara earned her B.A. from Harvard University and her MFA from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jillian Kelley
Assistant Director of Prevention and Education
Phone:508-793-3338
Office: Hogan 522
Email: jckelley@holycross.edu
Jill joined the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity in March 2021, having come from Dean College as the sexual violence prevention and education coordinator. In addition to her time at Dean, Jillian also worked in residence life at American International College where she focused her efforts on building a community where students could feel safe and find a sense of belonging. Jill is a passionate educator who uses an intersectional lens and takes a trauma-informed approach to all that she does. She earned her B.A. from Springfield College and her M.Ed. from Merrimack College.
Nichole Neill
Title IX Office Coordinator
Phone: 508-793-3484
Office: Hogan
Email: nneill@holycross.edu
Nichole joined the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity in August of 2022, having come from the Oxford Fire Department as the Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief. Prior to her time in Oxford, Nichole worked for the Town of Charlton as the Assistant Treasurer where she also processed payroll for the Town. For years Nichole worked with children with severe special needs at the Heritage School in Charlton, Massachusetts. Nichole has her Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Assumption College and worked as both a Title Researcher and a Clerk at the Worcester District Registry of Deeds.
Gregory Dass
Investigator- Title IX and Equal Opportunity
Phone: 508-793-3535
Office: Hogan 511
Email: gdass@holycross.edu
Greg joined the Title IX and Equal Opportunity Office in December 2022 having come from the private sector, conducting national security clearance investigations for both federal and corporate entities for nearly five years. Interviewing clearance candidates, references, and reviewing evidence pertinent to making adjudication decisions prepared Greg for the thorough and even-handed investigations conducted by the Title IX/EO office at Holy Cross. In addition to this history, Greg also worked for several years with families and their children dealing with aberrant behaviors and mental health concerns in and around the Worcester area. Greg graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology.