By Gracyn Van Bemmel
Hood College welcomed its new Title IX coordinator and a new mental health counselor in an open house on Jan. 31.
Bryan Robinson took over the position of Title IX coordinator in December after the previous
coordinator, Runako Allsopp, departed.
After earning a doctorate’s degree in sociology, Robinson worked at a series of institutions where he volunteered in Title IX roles.
He said chose to work at Hood because he is from Atlanta and his partner is from rural, upstate
New York, making Frederick the perfect in-between location.
“This was a great area for us
because it’s a big city, but it doesn’t feel like a big city,” Robinson said. “And Hood is a small
college, but that’s what we both wanted.”
Despite once being a student at a large university, most of Robinson’s experience
is in working at small colleges, which he said he prefers due to the connections between
students and faculty.
In the last institution where he worked before coming to Hood, Title IX was housed in the Dean
of Students, making it very student oriented.
“I think in some places Title IX is just about ‘We need to get justice,’ which I think is a very
important piece, but there is also a big piece on how do we support the student who’s looking
for help? And what do we do if that student doesn’t want us to pursue it for them and just want support?” Robinson said. “And that’s kind of the philosophy I came out of. It’s one where support is a big part of it.”
The Biden Administration plans to update Title IX regulations but the details have not been released. According to Robinson, the two biggest focuses of the updates are providing more gender
protection for students who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community and more accommodations
for pregnant students.
Still new to campus, Robinson plans to meet with Hood students and faculty to learn
more about campus life and to see what the community wants from him and the Title IX program.
Additionally, Taylor Hahn was recently hired as Hood College’s mental health counselor for both
undergraduate and graduate students, after the previous counselor, John Slick, departed.
After moving to Frederick, she joined Hood College’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling
program as a graduate student. Upon receiving her master’s degree, she worked as a counselor for a
Frederick practice before coming back to Hood.
According to Hahn, there will not be many changes made to Hood’s counseling services. Walk- in hours will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., four days a week, instead of the three days a week last semester.
Those days will be Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Fridays. Like in past semesters,
students can request a 15-minute consultation online.
“I think in general, a change that could happen is that there are plans to start some groups, like
group therapy,” Hahn said. “We’re trying to get that up and running this semester.” In the past,
Slick was involved in a few groups, but there was not a standing group that existed.
Hahn hopes to offer some fun and creative counseling activities and events. “In terms of creative counseling, this could look like putting
together some self-soothing kits and things where people can access personal coping strategies
or give them some sensory connection,” she said.
Choosing a holistic counseling approach, Hahn likes to emphasize the importance of
mindfulness, whether that is meditative practices or creating safe and calm spaces.
“I just think it’s really fulfilling,” Hahn said. “I really enjoy connecting, and it makes me feel really happy when
I’m in a space where I can form those relationships with people. And honestly, it is fulfilling to me to see people be successful in their day-to-day, their feeling whole and healthy, and making
good choices that make them feel good.”
Students can learn more about Bryan Robinson and Taylor Hahn through the Hood College
website or by visiting their offices. Robinson’s office is Room 308 in Alumnae Hall, and Hahn’s
office is in Room 8A of the Joseph Henry Apple Building.
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