Rick Olshak
Senior Consultant, TNG
Areas of Expertise
Adjudication and Appellate Practices
Compliance Reviews
Informal Resolution Training and Practice (facilitation, mediation, restorative practices)
Investigations (individuals and student organizations)
Policy Development
Program Development, Implementation, and Assessment
Student Conduct
Speaking and Writing
Henry, M., Sokolow, B. A., Swinton, D. C., Oppenheim, A., Lewis, W. S., Schuster, S. K., & Olshak, R. (2018). ATIXA 2018 whitepaper: The ATIXA guide to sanctioning student sexual misconduct violations [White paper].
Olshak, Richard T. (2009). “Utilizing needs assessment and deliberative planning to enhance conflict systems development.” In N. Giacomini & J. Meyer Schrage (eds.), Reframing Campus Conflict: Student Conduct Practice Through a Social Justice Lens (pp. 197-207), Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Olshak, Richard T. (2009). “Sustaining a worthy investment: Assessing conflict resolution programs.” In N.Giacomini & J. Meyer Schrage (eds.), Reframing Campus Conflict: Student Conduct Practice Through a Social Justice Lens (pp. 208-218), Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Olshak, Richard T. (2004). “A RA/CA’s guide to conflict styles, resolution strategies, and knowing when to serve as a referral agent”, developed as a part of the “Lovin’ the Learnin’” resident assistant training series on Reslife.net (online educational program).
Olshak, Richard T. (2001). “Mastering mediation: A guide to training mediators in a college and university setting.” Horsham, PA: LRP Publications.
Olshak, Richard T. (1999). “A guide for effective sanctioning: From theory to practice,” independently written and published manual for student conduct professionals distributed via the Association for Student Conduct Administration as a member service, 101 pp.
Videto, Donna M, Hodges, Bonnie C, Franco, Raymond D, Olshak, Richard T, and Price, Antoinette. “Development of a college alcohol intervention program,” The Healthy Educator, Journal of Eta Sigma Gamma, Fall 1997.
Jones, Ruth and Olshak, Richard T. (August 2022). Informal Resolution, invited presentation to the 2022 Annual Title IX and Director of Human Resources Conference for the California State University (CSU) System, online.
Olshak, Richard T. (October 2021). Informal Resolution: When and how to use it, invited feature presentation at the 2021 ATIXA Annual Conference, online.
Olshak, Richard T. (October 2020). Leaving Nothing to Chance: Intentional Applications of Informal Conflict Resolution Methods in the Title IX Environment, invited feature presentation at the 2020 ATIXA Annual Conference, online.
Olshak, Richard T. (October 2019). Applying Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Methods to Sex-Based Discrimination Cases, ATIXA West Coast Conference, San Francisco CA.
Olshak, Richard T. (October 2018). Applying Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods to Sex-Based Discrimination Cases, concurrent conference session at 2018 ATIXA Annual Conference, Philadelphia PA.
Olshak, Richard T. (October 2014). Experiences in Adjusting Title IX Processes Post-DCL: Illinois State University’s Experience, concurrent session at 2014 ATIXA Annual Conference, Phoenix AZ.
Olshak, Richard T. (October 2013). A primer to the Dear Colleague Letter and Title IX developments, invited presentation at the Meeting of Midwest Deans, Monticello, IL, October 2013.
Education
Social Justice Training: Creating Inclusive Campus Environments, Alliance for Change (2014)
Social Justice Training, Alliance for Change (2010)
Mediation Certification, Advanced Mediation Training, CDR Associates, Inc. (1998)
Alcohol Education Certification, On Campus Talking About Alcohol (OCTAA), Prevention Research Institute (1996)
Mediation Certification, Community Mediation Training, New Justice Conflict Resolution Services, Inc. (1993)
Mediation Certification, Basic Mediation Training, Johnson & Henderson Associates (1992)
Western Illinois University, College Student Personnel, Macomb IL - Master of Science Degree (1992)
The College of Saint Rose, Public Communication, Albany NY - Bachelor of Arts (1988)
Rick Olshak
Senior Consultant, TNG
"When you're accustomed to privilege, parity and equity and equality may feel like oppression." Raphael Warnock
Rick Olshak is an experienced practitioner in civil rights compliance (Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, Section 504, etc.) who most recently served as the Director of Title IX and Student Conduct Compliance for The Texas A&M University System. In that role, Rick worked on behalf of eleven universities, eight state agencies, and system offices to ensure compliance with federal and state law, and to provide training and resources to civil rights personnel. Rick also directed the review process for A&M System regulations governing civil rights compliance and served as a hearing officer, appellate official, investigator, and compliance reviewer. Rick also served as an adjunct faculty member at the Texas A&M University School of Law.
Prior to this, Rick worked at Illinois State University (Normal, IL) where he served as Associate Dean of Students (2004-2016) and as Director of Student Dispute Resolution Services (1996-2005). He also worked as Assistant Director of Residential Services for Judicial Programs at the State University of New York College at Cortland (1993-1995) and as the Coordinator of Student Judicial Services at Georgetown University (1990-1992). Rick is a past president of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA).
Rick has served as a mediator in the community and court settings, as well as within higher education. He has written extensively on conflict resolution, mediation, program development, implementation, and assessment, and he has trained mediators at institutions across the nation. A native of Albany, NY, Rick received his formal education at The College of Saint Rose (NY), Western Illinois University, and Illinois State University. Rick now resides in Los Angeles.