University of Southern California

Jody brings more than two decades of education and employment law and human resources experience to her position at USC. Her work includes experience as both a director of human resources and as outside counsel on employment matters for a broad range of employers in California, including universities and large research hospitals. She has conducted and overseen countless investigations, lectured extensively on investigative procedures and employment law, and provided counsel to employers on risk management, employment practices and legal compliance. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in San Francisco and her bachelor's degree from Georgetown University. Ms. Shipper was appointed as director of the office in May 2004.

Roxanne joined USC as a senior complaint investigator in the fall of 2007. Prior to joining the university, she was employed in various health-care related organizations, and the entertainment industry. Roxanne has twenty years of diverse human resources experience that includes employee relations and investigative work. Roxanne received her master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles and her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR) in 1998. She has completed mediation training through the Los Angeles County Bar Association and is an active PIHRA Board Member. Roxanne teaches human resources curriculum at two local colleges.

John joined USC as a senior complaint investigator in 2009. Prior to joining the university, John was a litigation attorney practicing primarily in labor and employment law. He graduated with honors from Pepperdine University School of Law and received his bachelor's degree in history and philosophy from Hampden-Sydney College.

Karen joined USC as a senior complaint investigator in 2011. Previously, Karen worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she litigated violations of federal employment discrimination statutes. She received her J.D. from USC's Gould School of Law, and bachelor's degree in English from Grinnell College.

Susan joined USC as a senior complaint investigator in 2013, after managing equity and diversity programs and conducting investigations for a large California state university. She also represented major health care providers in federal and state civil actions involving complex contract disputes and insurance coverage issues. Susan holds a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law, a master's degree in educational administration from California State University, Northridge, and her bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in law and society from USC.

LeVetta Hudson has two decades of human resources experience from various roles with the university, and as a human resources director with a law firm. She has over ten years of experience as a financial aid administrator and internal auditor. LeVetta earned an MBA from Pepperdine University and her undergraduate degree from Woodbury University. She has received mediation training from the Center for Conflict Resolution at Loyola Law School, as well as dispute resolution and negotiation training from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University Law School, and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. LeVetta was appointed as director of Employee Relations in 1998.

Ernie Dillard brings to Employee Relations twenty-five plus years of human resources experience from the defense industry, the non-profit sector and as an independent human resources consultant overseeing significant components of human resources. He earned his MSW from the University of California, Los Angeles and his bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge. He has received mediation training through Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Loyola Law School and the Center for Conflict Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. Ernie is a trained domestic abuse crisis counselor through Peace over Violence in conjunction with LAPD.

Illeana joined USC in 1999 as an administrative services coordinator/recruiter for Employee Recruitment Services. In April 2002, she transferred to the Office of Equity and Diversity as office manager, intake coordinator and investigator. She has a master's degree from USC and a bachelor's degree in English from Loyola Marymount University, and is a member of the Society of Human Resources Managers (SHRM) and Professionals in Human Resources Administration (PIHRA). Prior to joining the university she worked as a travel writer, a new accounts and IRA retirement specialist in banking, and a partner in a flower shop.

Erica Gutierrez joined Employee Relations in 2005. She earned her bachelor's degree in Economics and an MBA from Mills College. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and received her Professional in Human Resources certification through their Human Resources Certification Institute. Prior to joining USC, Erica worked in an accounting firm as an assistant for their audit department.

Stacy Harding joined USC in 1998 as an office assistant in Employee Recruitment Services. In November 2007, Stacy joined the Offices of Equity and Diversity and Employee Relations. Prior to joining the university Stacy worked in law offices in the Los Angeles area.

Stephanie joined USC as an administrative assistant in 2010. Prior to joining the university, Stephanie was involved in working with low-income, first-generation high school students obtaining a four-year degree. She has a bachelor's degree in sociology and a minor in feminist studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Stephanie plans to continue her education with a master's degree in social work.