Office of Compliance

John Burnett, Director

John Burnett
John Burnett

Dr. John Burnett is the Director of Compliance for Texas A&M-Kingsville (TAMUK).  In this position some of his duties will consist of directing all internal investigations regarding discrimination and sexual harassment, ADA accommodation requests (serves as the ADA Compliance Officer), rules and procedures creation/updates, public information requests, ethics point allegations and training for the campus community on these issues. 

Prior to coming to TAMUK, he was the Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).  In this position he did similar work in that he managed the investigations of all UNR internal complaints dealing with violations of Title VII and Title VII-related policies of the University. He maintained the university’s Affirmation Action plan; served as the university’s ADA Compliance Officer; and conducted training for all faculty, staff and students in regard to sexual harassment/discrimination issues.  Dr. Burnett participated in university searches (including a presidential search) and provided service on university diversity committees.   He participated with media requests to discuss EO/AA topics on radio, television and in newspapers. Dr. Burnett interacted with all levels of administration and management at the university. Dr. Burnett has worked starting in 1985 with local and state government in Florida with the enforcementof State and Federal anti-discrimination laws regarding employment and housing.   He was employed for over ten years with the Florida Commission on Human Relations as an investigator.   In higher education he has worked as an adjunct instructor in public and private colleges in Florida teaching American history.   He is passionate about civil rights and serves as a board member at large for American Association for Affirmative Action.

Dr. Burnett earned his B.S. degree in Financial Management from Florida Southern College in 1984.  He earned a Masters in Human Resource Management from the University of North, Florida in 1987.  He completed his Ph.D. in History from Florida State University in 2001.  His publications are: Families Remembered:  The Burnett, Prevatt, Walker, Stonecypher, and Other Allied Lines of Northeast Florida and Georgia.  (1989) and The Life and Career of Methodist Bishop Edward J. Pendergrass, 1900- 1995.  (2001).

He is a native of Waycross, Georgia, but was raised in Florida where his late parents owned and operated car dealerships.  He is married to the former Katherine Miller.  They have two teenage children:  John Edward and Amy. Dr. Burnett is a founding and life member of the Baker County Florida Historical Society, member of the Sons of the American Revolution, past president of the Northern Chapter SAR and Nevada State Society president of the SAR.  He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Sigma Pi and Phi Alpha Theta.  He has served on community boards and served as president of his neighborhood HOA. Other interests include history, folklore, genealogy, gardening, art, the love of birds and nature