Cortney Simmons

Cortney Simmons serves as the Assistant Director of Prevention Education and Youth Protection in the Office of Compliance and Prevention Education at West Virginia University. In this role, she collaborates closely with a team dedicated to advancing the University’s commitment to awareness, prevention and compliance, with an emphasis on Board of Governors Governance Rule 1.6 and Rule 1.7.

Cortney provides strategic leadership in the design, coordination, and implementation of comprehensive prevention education initiatives for students, faculty, and staff. Her oversight includes areas such as Title IX, harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, stalking, and youth protection. Through this work, she drives institution-wide efforts that prioritize safety, foster accountability, and support the well-being of the entire campus community.

Cortney also serves as an Anonymous Employee, offering confidential guidance and support to students, faculty, and staff who are navigating Title IX-related concerns and exploring their options for reporting and accessing resources.

Prior to joining WVU, Cortney served as the Victim Specialist for the West Virginia State Police, Crimes Against Children Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. In this capacity, she provided critical, trauma-informed support to victims and their families across the state, while also collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies aligned with the West Virginia ICAC Task Force. Recognizing the emotional toll of this work, Cortney developed and implemented an innovative Employee Support Program designed to safeguard the mental health and resilience of personnel routinely exposed to child sexual exploitation material and other violent crimes against children. A certified ChildFirst Forensic Interviewer, she also oversaw the operations of the West Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse, contributing to statewide efforts to locate and recover missing youth.