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Implementing Workplace Protections for Pregnant or Lactating Personnel

Speaker Biographies

ASA

Awo Sarpong Ansu is Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the University of Maryland Global Campus, a public university dedicated to providing educational and career advancement to adult learners, military servicemembers, veterans and their families in the State of Maryland, across the United States, and on military bases around the world. In addition to overseeing the team of lawyers who work in the Office of Legal Affairs, Ms. Sarpong Ansu’s portfolio includes labor and employment, discrimination, disability, harassment and misconduct, civil rights, personnel matters, student affairs, contracts, and providing support to the Office of Institutional Advancement. Ms. Sarpong Ansu is also an Adjunct Professor in UMGC’s undergraduate Legal Studies Program. Prior to UMGC, Ms. Ansu spent several years at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where she served in several capacities including Special Assistant to Obama-appointed EEOC Chair Jacqueline Berrien. Originally from Ghana, Ms. Sarpong Ansu is a proud graduate of New York City Public Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree from Barnard College/Columbia University and her J.D. from the New York University School of Law. 

 

Simpson, NicholasNicholas A. Simpson is a senior associate in the Chicago, Illinois, office of Jackson Lewis P.C.  His practice focuses on counseling employers on labor and employment matters and defending labor and employment litigation.  As a litigator and a member of his firm’s higher education industry group, Nicholas has experience representing clients, in claims for sexual and racial harassment; pregnancy, disability, sex, race, age, and equal pay discrimination; wrongful discharge; and violations of the ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, Title VII, Section 1981, Section 1983, the Ethics Act, and other statutes.   

In addition to his litigation practice, Nicholas also assists clients with workplace diversity and inclusion related issues, including conducting climate surveys and internal investigations; analyzing employee related data and policies; and conducting trainings on unconscious bias, generational diversity, and creating inclusive cultures.  Nicholas also assists with managing internal and external communications in response to diversity and inclusion related matters. 

Outside of his daily practice, Nicholas is a Corporate Board Member of Associated Colleges of Illinois (“ACI”).  ACI is a network of 25 private, nonprofit residential colleges and universities.  ACI’s mission is to support member colleges and universities by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, career, and life.  Nicholas is also a proud member of NACUA.  In March 2023, Nicholas co-led a discussion group on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Employment for NACUA’s Spring 2023 CLE for Higher Education Discrimination Law.