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Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel
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Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel

The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel provides guidance and legal counsel to the ATSU Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff regarding matters intersecting with University business. The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel leads the compliance program, facilitates and oversees the enterprise risk management process, manages all insurance matters including coverages and claims, and oversees institutional contract management. All ATSU personnel are invited and encouraged to contact our office for assistance on any matters affecting the University.

  • Staff +

    • Matthew R. Heeren
      Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel
      mheeren@atsu.edu
      660.626.2522

      Matthew R. Heeren, JD, received his undergraduate degree from Truman State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Prior to joining A.T. Still University, Mr. Heeren served as general counsel of the Missouri Department of Labor and deputy general counsel to the governor of the state of Missouri.

      Mr. Heeren has served as chief operating officer & general counsel since 2008, overseeing legal affairs for A.T. Still University campuses and the Board of Trustees, compliance, insurance, risk management, information privacy, and Missouri and federal legislative affairs. Mr. Heeren is a member of the Missouri Bar and the Arizona Bar.

      Over the years, Mr. Heeren has been actively engaged in the local community, serving on several boards including the Adair County Public Library, Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc., Chariton Valley Association, Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Rotary, and the Northern Missouri Futbol Club.

      Michelle Gibson, MAMichelle Gibson, MA
      Compliance Manager
      michellegibson@atsu.edu
      660.626.2522

      Michelle Gibson serves as compliance manager for ATSU, where she helps lead strategic compliance efforts across the institution. As a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), she tracks regulatory updates, helps ATSU departments meet critical regulatory and reporting deadlines and implement best practices, and coordinates with external consultants and regulatory bodies to maintain higher education and healthcare compliance standards. Michelle joined ATSU with experience in higher education, state government, and healthcare. Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and a Bachelor of Science from Hannibal-LaGrange University.

      Dawn Shaffer
      Compliance Specialist
      dshaffer@atsu.edu
      660.626.2004

      Dawn Shaffer leads ATSU compliance initiatives within the Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel. As the University's inaugural compliance manager, she helped establish ATSU’s compliance framework and strategic plan. Currently serving as compliance specialist, she manages the institution's Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platform and assists with internal audits. Dawn brings over 25 years of legal and higher education experience. Certified as a Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) and in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), she holds a BA in English from Coe College and attended Drake University.

      Jody Peterson, BSJody Peterson, BS
      Executive Assistant
      Jmpeterson01@atsu.edu
      660.626.2522

      Jody Peterson serves as the executive assistant to the COO & general counsel. She has been with ATSU for 16 years, beginning her employment as an administrative assistant to the associate dean of medical education. Jody has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University.

    • The chief operating officer & general counsel represents the University in all legal matters. He provides legal counsel for the Board of Trustees, Chancellor, Chancellor's Cabinet, and other senior administrators. ​

      The Chief Operating Officer & general counsel is also available to advise any member of the University community who has questions or concerns about anything affecting the University.

      The Chief Operating Officer & general counsel cannot provide legal guidance or representation to employees who have claims adverse to the University, or who have legal questions outside the scope of ATSU business or their employment.

  • Compliance +

    • ATSU’s compliance program supports the ATSU mission by promoting compliant and ethical behavior by all members of the University community. It continually advances adherence to local, state, and federal laws and regulatory requirements, and strives to create a culture of compliance across the entire University.

      The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel does not assume the duties of compliance but rather coordinates efforts between departments, develops effective lines of communication, assesses policies and procedures, identifies gaps, provides training, and supports continuous compliance improvement across the University. ​

      ATSU’s compliance program is led by chief compliance officer, Matthew Heeren, and compliance manager, Michelle Gibson.

  • Risk management +

    • Innovation and risk are linked in the pursuit of ATSU’s mission. To support innovative risk, the University must attentively focus on the prevention and mitigation of risks that could threaten ATSU’s strategic goals. The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, along with the Risk Management & Compliance Committee, is responsible for oversight of the University’s enterprise risk management process, and for monitoring and responding to emerging risks. ​

  • Insurance +

    • ​The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing the complex array of university-wide insurance matters. It procures and maintains all University commercial insurance products, including workers’ compensation, general liability, auto, property insurance, cybersecurity, student accident coverage, and professional liability/malpractice. The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel manages all insurance claims, and is a resource for all university insurance information.

      Upon request, the Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel will provide proof of insurance coverage (or “certificates of insurance”). ATSU is often asked to provide proof of insurance coverage by vendors with whom it has a contract or by employers of ATSU graduates.

      To request a certificate of insurance, please call or email Jody Peterson at 660.626.2522 or jmpeterson01@atsu.edu.

  • Contract management +

    • All University contracts must be approved as to legal form and sufficiency by Matthew Heeren, Chief Operating Officer & general counsel. Once approved, contracts are signed by one of three authorized university signatories: chief financial officer, campus presidents, or chancellor. Please be aware that only authorized signatories may sign contracts. ​

      The Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel is responsible for reviewing and approving contracts and routing them to the appropriate signatory. The signatory’s office returns the signed contract to the originator and electronically stores the contracts in Conga Contracts (formerly Novatus), ATSU’s contract management software program.

      To initiate the approval and signature process, email the contract along with a routing form (pdf) to Jody Peterson at jmpeterson01@atsu.edu. The contract routing form requires certain information and certifications, as well as signature by the responsible President’s Cabinet member or dean.

      For further details, please see ATSU Policy 10-204: Contract Review and Approval Procedure (pdf).