Associate Director of Human Resources Strategy, Planning and Policy Kathleen Donohoe spent 24 years in the United States Coast Guard before beginning her U-M career in 1999 as the director of the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy Office. In her current role she works on health, safety and policy-related committees and initiatives. One that is especially significant to her is the Abuse Hurts: Recognize, Respond and Refer program.

‘Public Servant’ Fights Domestic Violence

By Danielle Clair, HR Communications intern.

Prior to beginning her University of Michigan career as the associate director of human resources strategy, planning and policy, Kathleen Donohoe served in the United States Coast Guard for twenty years. After retiring and relocating to the Ann Arbor area in 1999, Donohoe accepted a position as director of the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy Office. The then newly created office and position were the result of two Supreme Court cases that showed the need for such services at institutions of U-M’s size. As director of the Sexual Harassment Policy Office, Donohoe educated the U-M community on ways to prevent and recognize sexual harassment and investigated incidents reported by faculty, staff and students.

“In my role as the director of sexual harassment policy, I know I definitely made a difference for those that had been suffering silently. Most victims don’t come forward because they’re so embarrassed and often times fearful. My aim was to relieve them of the responsibility of that burden and take that responsibility on as the university,” says Donohoe.

In 2003, Donohoe was recalled to active duty with the Coast Guard, where she served for another four years as the director of public affairs.  She returned to U-M in 2007 and currently serves as associate director of Human Resources Strategy, Planning and Policy. In this role she manages the writing, review and implementation of university human resources’ policies and practices codified in the standard practice guide documents (SPGs). Just as she considered herself a public servant to the community through her work with the Coast Guard, Donohoe now considers herself a public servant to the university.  “I really consider it my role and responsibility to write policies that service everyone; policies that make sense, that are just and understandable.”

At an institution the size of U-M, with three campuses and thousands of faculty and staff, it is easy to simply blend in with the large numbers. However, with the help of organizations like Voices of the Staff, Donohoe feels connected to the university and aware of a sense of cohesiveness among faculty and staff. “The staff here are dedicated and committed to the university and come here every day to make it better,” says Donohoe. She is a frequent guest speaker and facilitator at VOICES-sponsored meetings and other U-M community events.

In addition, Donohoe works on several university committees and initiatives. One that is especially significant to her is the Abuse Hurts: Recognize, Respond and Refer program. Designed to identify victims of domestic violence, the program provides training on how to recognize domestic violence and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of abuse. Donohoe says that the program has helped to raise awareness of domestic violence and she has been touched by the letters of support and expressions of thanks she and others on the Abuse Hurts committee have received from members of the U-M community.