About Ballast
Our Story
(and the Meaning Behind Our Name)
Ballast was founded on a simple idea: education leaders deserve trusted partners who can bring perspective, steadiness, and practical support to complex situations.
Our name reflects the role we strive to play.
At sea, ballast provides grounding, balance and stability--helping a vessel remain steady and maintain its course as conditions change. It doesn't determine the destination or take control. Instead, it provides the stability needed to navigate with greater assurance.
We see our role in much the same way.
Ballast works alongside institutional leaders, providing objective perspective and thoughtful guidance while respecting that every institution has its own mission, culture, priorities, and course to chart. We listen, help leaders assess the circumstances before them, and provide the support needed to make well-informed decisions.
Why Campus Leaders Choose Ballast
When institutions invite Ballast into their most challenging situations, they're placing trust in more than our expertise. They're trusting us to work with professionalism, sound judgment, and compassion during moments that often affect students, employees, and the broader campus community.
Our consultants understand that every engagement involves people—not just policies or processes. That's why we approach our work with empathy, integrity, and respect while helping institutional leaders navigate difficult decisions with confidence.
We believe the best outcomes come from partnership. We take the time to understand each institution's mission, culture, and priorities, offering guidance that is thoughtful, practical, and tailored to the realities of educational institutions.
Whether we're supporting a single investigation or serving as an ongoing resource to institutional leadership, our goal remains the same: helping colleges and universities build stronger, more resilient communities through trusted guidance and lasting relationships.
Building Stronger Institutions
The challenges colleges and universities face today are rarely isolated. A single investigation, policy review, or leadership transition often reveals broader opportunities to strengthen institutional practices, improve decision-making, and better support the people who make up the campus community.
That's why Ballast's work extends beyond resolving individual matters. We help institutions build the knowledge, processes, and confidence needed to navigate future challenges with greater clarity and resilience.
Whether developing stronger policies, equipping campus leaders through professional development, or serving as a trusted advisor over time, our goal is always the same: helping institutions create environments where students, employees, and communities can thrive.
Because stronger institutions aren't built through compliance alone. They're built through thoughtful leadership, trusted relationships, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
✔ Confident Leadership
Institutional leaders have experienced advisors to help navigate complex decisions with clarity and confidence.
✔ Stronger Policies & Processes
Policies and procedures that support consistency, fairness, and sustainable institutional practices.
✔ Healthier Campus Communities
Approaches grounded in respect, compassion, and institutional integrity that foster trust across campus.
✔ Prepared Teams
Professional development and practical guidance that equip campus professionals to respond effectively as expectations evolve.
How Ballast Helps Campus Leaders
Every engagement begins with understanding the institution itself. We take the time to listen, learn the context surrounding the issue, and understand the goals, people, and campus culture that shape each decision. That perspective allows us to provide guidance that is practical, responsive, and tailored to the unique needs of every institution.
Whether we're conducting an independent investigation, reviewing institutional policies, providing interim leadership, or delivering professional development, our objective remains the same: to help institutions move forward with clarity, confidence, and integrity.
Our work extends beyond resolving individual issues.
We help institutions strengthen the systems, processes, and practices that support effective governance, fair decision-making, and healthy campus communities. Good policies don't sit on a shelf. They shape everyday decisions. Effective training doesn't simply communicate information. It helps people respond with greater confidence when complex situations arise.
By combining deep higher education experience with a collaborative, human-centered approach, Ballast helps institutions address immediate needs while building a stronger foundation for the future.
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Sean Somermeyer
Sean Somermeyer helps colleges and universities navigate complex institutional challenges with practical guidance, sound judgment, and a clear understanding of how decisions affect the broader campus community.
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Carl Crosby Lehmann
Carl has nearly 30 years of experience advising institutions in all aspects of higher education legal services, including complex transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters. Carl has served as the General Counsel to St. Olaf College for the past eight years.
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Mary Dunnewold
Mary Dunnewold brings extensive practical experience in higher education to her work as a campus investigator, advisor, and trainer. Her work is grounded in over twenty years of experience as a law school teacher and administrator.
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Kari Hohn
As a former Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Director, Kari has extensive real-world experience in a higher education setting. Kari prides herself on being a problem-solver, a deep listener, and an excellent communicator.
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Nina Harris
Nina Harris brings more than a decade of experience managing complex matters and investigations to her work with Ballast. As a Director, she supports educational institutions through investigations, fact-finding, project management, and other matters that require careful organization, thoughtful communication, and close attention to detail.
Comprehensive Support for Educational Institutions
Sometimes an institution needs specialized expertise for a single matter. At other times, campus leaders need additional capacity, professional development, or an experienced advisor they can turn to over time. Ballast offers a range of services that can stand alone or work together based on the needs of the institution.
Not Sure What Kind of Support You Need?
You don't need to have the solution identified before contacting Ballast. Tell us what's happening, what your institution is trying to accomplish, and where additional support would be helpful. We'll listen, ask questions, and help determine an approach that fits your institution and the situation at hand.
Investigations
Independent, trauma-informed investigations involving Title IX, Title VI, ADA/504, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, employee misconduct, and other institutional complaints. Ballast brings objectivity, care, and extensive education experience to sensitive matters, with respect for institutional processes and the individuals involved. Explore Investigations →
Compliance Training
Title IX, Title VI, and other civil rights training, Title IX investigator coursework, hearing officer education, and customized professional development designed specifically for education professionals. Ballast translates evolving requirements and guidance into practical learning that participants can apply in their roles and across their institutions. Explore Compliance Training →
Policies & Procedures
Review, development, and updates of institutional policies and procedures to reflect evolving guidance, court decisions, and regulations while supporting effective and practical campus operations. Ballast helps institutions develop policies that are clear, workable, and appropriate for their particular communities. Explore Policies & Procedures →
Informal & Alternative Resolutions
Experienced facilitation of voluntary, equitable, compliant, and institutionally appropriate informal or alternative resolution processes. Ballast brings structure, impartiality, and a human-centered approach to matters that require thoughtful communication, careful facilitation, and respect for the individuals involved. Explore Informal & Alternative Resolutions →
Hearings, Adjudications & Appeals
Independent and unbiased hearing officers, decision-makers, and appellate reviewers with extensive higher education experience. Ballast provides thoughtful support throughout hearing, adjudication, and appeals processes, with careful attention to institutional procedures and the responsibilities of each role. Explore Hearings, Adjudications & Appeals →
Interim Roles
Experienced coordinators, deputies, investigators, hearing officers, compliance professionals, and institutional leaders available during staffing transitions or periods of organizational change. Ballast provides additional capacity and experienced support to help institutions maintain continuity while determining the right path forward. Explore Interim Roles →
Advice & Coaching
On-demand practical guidance for Title IX Coordinators, student affairs leaders, human resources professionals, and other institutional leaders navigating complex situations. Ballast serves as an experienced sounding board when leaders need perspective, practical guidance, or support thinking through an important decision. Explore Advice & Coaching →
Resources for Education Leaders
Our work doesn't end when an engagement concludes. We believe stronger institutions are built through continuous learning, which is why we invest in sharing knowledge with the education community. Through timely insights, professional development, and practical resources, we support colleges, universities, and secondary schools as they build internal capacity, strengthen institutional knowledge, and stay informed as regulations, expectations, and best practices continue to evolve.
Whether you're seeking guidance on emerging issues, training for your team, or practical perspectives from experienced higher education professionals, our resources are created to serve higher education and the professionals who lead it.
Newsletter
Curated insights, practical resources, and updates on emerging issues that support continuous learning across the higher education community. Subscribe →
Office Hours
A recurring opportunity for higher education professionals to ask questions, discuss emerging issues, and learn from peers in an informal setting. View Upcoming Sessions →
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ballast primarily partners with colleges, universities, and secondary schools in the Midwest and beyond, providing practical guidance rooted in a deep understanding of higher education.
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Yes. We understand that difficult situations rarely happen on a predictable schedule. Whether you're responding to a complex complaint, navigating a staffing transition, or addressing an emerging compliance issue, we're prepared to provide timely guidance and support.
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Yes. Ballast conducts impartial, thorough investigations involving Title IX, Title VI, employee misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and other institutional matters. We approach every investigation with professionalism, objectivity, and respect for everyone involved.
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Absolutely. Every training is designed around your institution's policies, responsibilities, culture, and goals. We offer professional development for Title IX personnel, investigators, hearing officers, administrators, HR professionals, student affairs staff, and other campus stakeholders.
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Yes. We regularly serve in interim leadership positions during staffing transitions, providing experienced guidance while helping institutions maintain continuity, meet compliance obligations, and prepare for long-term success.