Hammett moving from Assistant Dean of Students
Prior to this academic year, Matthew Hammett served as the Assistant Dean of Students for seven years at Wofford College. In this position, he oversaw Sorority and Fraternity life. He also worked alongside other Wofford departments, including Title IX, to provide resources for students in Greek Life.
In July 2021, Hammett was promoted to serve as Dean of the Senior Class. However, with the exit of the former Title IX Coordinator, Amanda Estabrook, a position opened up that President Samhat asked him if he was willing to take instead. Hammett had served as interim Coordinator for the Title IX department before, giving him experience to take on this role, today.
It was not just the vacant position that prompted Hammett’s move to the Title IX department. He chose to step up to the role of Title IX Coordinator to expand his expertise and to serve students in a department that he deeply cares about.
Hammett’s official title is now Director for Civil Rights, Title IX Compliance and Student Risk Assessment, or the Title IX Coordinator. His responsibilities include overseeing non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.
Although he is in a new position, Hammett stressed to Samhat that he wanted to remain active in Campus Life and be involved with student activities. Aiming to eventually become Dean of Students, Hammett is passionate about working with students and serving as a trustworthy resource.
The Title IX department currently consists of Hammett and James Stukes, an institutional equity case reporter. The lack of women in this department may seem daunting to students who are seeking help. Hammett is aware of this and is seeking to expand the department’s diversity.
Hammett and Stukes have discussed the importance of having women in their department. One of Hammett’s goals this year is to expand the department, allowing it to be more available to students.
He said, “it is important to us to fill that role, and to have that presence and representation of gender, race—that is something that is important to me.”
Already this year, Hammett has been coordinating programs for the freshman class, Greek organizations and the entire student body. He has worked with students who are willing to share their stories, as well as with Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition.
For the freshmen class, more specifically, Hammett plans to incorporate these programs into First Year Inquiry (FYI) classes. These programs will teach bystander intervention, healthy relationships, warning signs and the “Red Zone” (the first six weeks being at an institution, when new students are more vulnerable to danger).
Referring to the requirements that students must fulfill for the Title IX department, such as “Get Inclusive” modules, Hammett said, “it can’t just be that.”
He understands that there must be layering and consistent educating about misconduct and discrimination. The regularity of educating the Wofford community is what will help create a safe and trustworthy campus.
Hammett also stresses that understanding safety on campus and the services of the Title IX department is beyond just the student body. He plans to continue to work with different campus departments to spread awareness about important issues such as sexual harassment and discrimination.
As Title IX coordinator, Hammett’s goals are to support and empower a community that is free of sex and gender-based misconduct, bias and discrimination. By aiming to do so, he is working to build trust with Wofford students and provide any resources and aid that this department and the community partners have.
Student development is something Hammett is extremely passionate about. With his transition to Title IX coordinator, he stressed to Samhat that he needs to continue having relationships with students. With his new role at Wofford, he ultimately wants to make himself available and support students in feeling heard.
