SAPA director, co-founder resigns, Varner appointed interim
Ohio senior Madi Saunders, left, and Sexual Agression Peer Advocates director Brooke Oliver-Hempenstall, right, hold up shirts with quotes from sexual assault survivors as part of the Clothesline Project in Fabiano Gardens on April 26, 2021. In addition, SAPA is holding multiple events throughout April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Over the past winter break, Central Michigan University announced to faculty Brooke Oliver-Hempenstall’s departure from Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates (SAPA).
Hempenstall, whose last day was Jan. 4, served as both the Sexual Aggression Dedicated Counselor and the Director of Sexual Aggression Services.
In the Dec. 21 email, Executive Director of the Counseling Center Melissa Hutchinson said Hempenstall accepted a position with Gaylord Public Schools "allowing her more time with family and a much shorter commute."
SAPA's Assistant Director Megan Varner has been appointed Interim Director of Sexual Aggression Services. She has been with SAPA since 2007 and began to work as the Sexual Aggression Dedicated Counselor and Assistant Director in 2015.
Interim Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Shaun Holtgreive said he hopes to fill Hempenstall's position within the next six weeks.
“I think it's always difficult to replace someone who was one of the founding partners in this endeavor,” Holtgreive said. “But we all, at some point, need to be replaced. We will find somebody who is vested in this work and has the expertise in this work.”
Varner said in the midst of Hempenstall’s departure, SAPA is continuing to provide 24/7 crisis services as it normally would and plans to maintain its upcoming spring events.
“The SAPAs are a dedicated group that will continue to make every effort to support those who have been impacted by sexual aggression on our campus,” Varner said.
Holtgreive said Hempenstall had several accomplishments during her years in SAPA. She trained students to advocate for survivors of sexual assault, harassment and stalking while giving them a safe place to receive support and resources.
“She was clearly one of the cornerstones of the program,” Holtgreive said. “She helped create the program. So her legacy is large and unparalleled. She did tremendous work to help build a national program."
Hempenstall earned her undergraduate and graduate degree from CMU. She eventually took on the role as a SAPA volunteer when she and Steve Thompson founded the program in 1996. Over the next eight years, Hempenstall dedicated herself to building SAPA's foundation.
SAPA is accepting applications to be an advocate for the 2022-23 academic year until Feb. 4.
