Seth M. Marnin

Seth M. Marnin is a leader and advocate in higher education and the law who serves as Director of Training and Education for the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

In this role, Seth directs the development and implementation of EOAA policies, procedures, training, and education efforts. He manages the office’s programs, materials, and initiatives to prevent and respond to discrimination, harassment, and gender-based misconduct.

He began his career in student affairs and residential life at the University at Albany; he later joined the University of Connecticut as the Director of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Resources. Seth moved from higher education to practicing employment law at Outten & Golden LLP. He subsequently served as the Vice President for Civil Rights at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) where he oversaw ADL’s domestic civil rights agenda. Before joining Columbia University’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office, Seth founded Workplace Strategies, a consulting firm advising non-profits on a range of legal issues related to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.

Seth has spoken nationally and internationally on LGBTQ issues, hate crime laws, discrimination, civil rights, religious liberty, the First Amendment and academic freedom. He co-authored friend-of-the-court briefs in numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and appellate courts around the country. 

Seth earned his BA in Women’s Studies and Sociology and his MA in Liberal Studies from the University at Albany, SUNY and his JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law.