New equity officer hired

Dennis will deal with compliance, help establish diversity training program

Anne Arundel County has hired a new compliance officer to oversee human resource complaints and handle diversity training for employees.

Alanna Dennis, now director of equity compliance for Bowie State University, will start in the role Aug. 30, according to County Executive Steve Schuh.

Dennis replaces the first county compliance officer, Angela Davis, who was let go in late June after two months on the job. Neither county officials nor Davis have commented on the reason for her departure.

The position was created in part to establish and manage an internal diversity training program that will become standard for all county employees.

In a statement, Schuh called diversity training “a crucial tool to building trust and understanding amongst every employee who serves.”

As head of the equity compliance office at Bowie State, Dennis has worked to ensure the university complies with federal Title IX, Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. She also investigates and mediates discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints.

“As a compliance educator, mediator and investigator, my door will always remain open as an impartial resource providing guidance, creating training and outreach initiatives, as well as in developing a conciliation program,” she said in a statement.

Dennis, who will make $110,000 a year, has also worked in compliance for local health systems and was an assistant attorney general in Maryland, where she focused on administrative law cases.

The announcement comes as Schuh’s administration continues to work on a promise to address racism within the county. Spokesman Owen McEvoy said a comprehensive action plan is forthcoming.

“We wanted to have the compliance officer identified and get her input” before announcing a plan, McEvoy said.

Councilman Pete Smith, who has called on the county to proclaim a state of emergency on race relations, said he was encouraged to hear of Dennis’ appointment.

“I am glad now that we can move forward,” Smith, a Severn Democrat, said. “To resolve these racial issues in a county is a collective effort and it really does need the administration to be on board with it.”

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