Empowering People. Enabling Progress. Protecting Institutions.
TAAPD makes unmatched expertise across law, policy, and operations accessible to institutions that want clarity and confidence. Our experts equip people and systems for sustained success, delivering enduring value at a fraction of the cost of in-house development.
Why Institutions Trust TAAPD
Measured Impact
After completing TAAPD’s AI Literacy Modules:
• 96% found the information clearly presented
• 88% said the guidance was relevant and actionable
• 85% felt more confident addressing AI-related challenges
Faculty Evaluation Data, 2025 (n = 81)
TAAPD engagements deliver national-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of traditional firms or in-house hires.
Our work is structured, time-bound, and outcome-focused, so every dollar goes toward tangible progress, not process overhead.
Built by leaders who've worked where you work.
Paul Heddings | TAAPD Co-Founder
Paul Heddings is a legal expert and higher education leader specializing in institutional risk management, campus policy and operations, and public-sector litigation.
As Director of Academic Integrity at West Virginia University (WVU), Paul oversees the investigation and adjudication of academic misconduct cases across WVU’s three institutions – including WVU Tech, WVU Potomac State College, and WVU’s three primary Morgantown campuses – drawing on more than a decade of experience in the legal and academic realms.
Under Paul’s leadership, WVU has set record-lows for recidivism, appeals, and case processing times, while also implementing forward-thinking AI protocols that address the rise of generative technology. Notably, WVU has seen zero lawsuits filed in response to matters overseen by Paul’s Academic Integrity unit – a testament to his leadership and emphasis on proactive risk mitigation in an era where litigation against institutions is skyrocketing.
Prior to WVU, Paul led high-stakes investigations and litigation as the Chief Prosecutor for the White Collar Crime and Public Corruption Unit in Kansas City, MO, working regularly with the FBI on cases involving fraud, embezzlement, and public corruption. Earlier in his career, Paul held roles as Assistant Legal Counsel to the Missouri Governor and Legal Counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections, where he contributed to the state’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative – a statewide reevaluation and overhaul of the criminal justice system.
Paul earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri (MU) School of Law and holds dual BAs in History and Political Science from MU. His work is further shaped by early-career experience in education policy, civil rights compliance, and disability advocacy, having interned with both the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Outside of TAAPD, he serves on the Board of Directors for Alphapointe, a nonprofit empowering individuals with visual disabilities.
Paul Heddings is a legal and higher education leader specializing in institutional risk, integrity, and policy design. A former chief prosecutor for white-collar crime, he now directs Academic Integrity at West Virginia University, bringing a rare combination of legal precision and operational insight to every engagement.
Steve Smith | TAAPD Co-Founder
Steve Smith is a multidisciplinary higher education and legal professional specializing in student conduct, Title IX investigations, and federal court procedures. Currently serving in the litigation division of Kay, Casto & Chaney PLLC and as a Judicial Law Clerk for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, Steve brings a comprehensive blend of legal acumen and campus policy experience to TAAPD’s programs.
Before joining the federal court, Steve spent six years as the Assistant Director of Student Conduct at West Virginia University, where he managed complex student conduct cases and implemented policies and initiatives around academic integrity, student discipline, and compliance. During his tenure, he collaborated closely with faculty and administrators to align disciplinary practices with institutional policy and federal guidelines.
Steve’s background includes more than 12 years in higher education administration, with leadership roles across private, public, and religious institutions. Notably, Steve has served as Director of Residential Life and Conference Services at Lycoming College, Assistant Director of Residence life at Alfred University, Area Coordinator at Elizabethtown College, and Resident Director at King’s College. This extensive experience provides him a unique perspective on the diverse challenges faced by today’s colleges and universities.
Steve holds a Juris Doctor from WVU College of Law, a Master of Business Administration from Youngstown State University, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.
Steve Smith is a multidisciplinary higher-education and legal professional with experience in federal litigation, student conduct, and Title IX compliance. His background across campus administration and the courtroom gives TAAPD clients practical, policy-grounded solutions that work in context.
"We built TAAPD because we’ve lived in the gaps — unclear policies, legal risk, frustrated faculty. This is the tool we wish we had years ago."
– Paul Heddings, TAAPD Co-Founder
“In higher ed, it’s nearly impossible to write policies that cover every edge scenario, especially as technology evolves so quickly. TAAPD was built to address this reality, for institutions of all sizes and environments. Our training is born from what actually works in the real world, and it’s designed to help our partners reduce risk, support faculty, and rebuild trust throughout campus.”
– Steve Smith, TAAPD Co-Founder
