Biography
Jessica H. Donahue Rhodes, Esq. is the Title IX Coordinator at Marshall University, a role she has held since November 2022. Prior to this, she served as the Title IX Investigator at Marshall, overseeing all investigations related to sexual misconduct involving faculty, staff, and students. As the Title IX Coordinator, Jessica’s responsibilities include ensuring compliance with Title IX regulations, preventing sex discrimination, training staff and students on recognizing and reporting discrimination, investigating complaints, providing information on grievance processes, collaborating with various offices, and developing relevant policies and procedures.
Jessica, a native of Mason County, West Virginia, graduated from Point Pleasant High School. She furthered her education at Marshall University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2000. Her academic journey continued at the West Virginia University College of Law, where she obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2003. Jessica is licensed to practice law in all West Virginia state courts, both federal districts in the state, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Jessica’s legal career is marked by her extensive experience and a series of significant roles. She began as a law clerk for the Honorable Circuit Judge David W. Nibert in the Fifth Circuit of West Virginia, gaining valuable insights into the legal system. Her time at Legal Aid and as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Mason County, where she handled a wide range of criminal matters and abuse and neglect cases, further honed her skills. Before joining Marshall, she worked as Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel at the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel, investigating and prosecuting ethical violations by attorneys. In this role, she successfully argued multiple cases before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, resulting in suspensions or disbarments for attorneys who violated ethical standards.
Outside of her work, Jessica is a huge fan of Star Wars. She enjoys spending time with her husband, who is also a massive Star Wars fan.