Michigan State names VP for civil rights and Title IX compliance
EAST LANSING — Michigan State University today announced Laura Rugless has been selected to lead the school's civil rights and Title IX education and compliance efforts.
Rugless, who will become an MSU vice president when she assumes office July 1, has been the associate vice president for the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX, and formerly as the university Title IX coordinator, at Cornell University.
Interim MSU President Teresa K. Woodruff said Rugless was chosen after a national search.
“This role is a key leadership position in our collective focus to create a safer, more welcoming and respectful university community for current and future Spartans,” Woodruff said in a press release. “Laura has spent her career advancing equity, civil rights and sexual violence prevention efforts, and her decades of experience in these areas will further our strategic goals.
"I am excited to welcome her to our team and look forward to her successfully guiding our strategies and bringing a fresh review and perspective to our efforts in preventing and responding to discrimination and sexual violence and misconduct," Woodruff added.
Rugless will be responsible for leading the institution’s civil rights and Title IX compliance, serving as the university’s Title IX coordinator and building upon MSU’s efforts to cultivate a university community free of discrimination and harassment, the school said in a release. The position will oversee the Office of Institutional Equity; the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department; the Resolution Office; the Office of Support and Equity; the equity review officer; and the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.
“MSU’s determination and continuous improvement to deliver on its civil rights and Title IX commitments drew me to this exceptional opportunity,” Rugless said in the release. “I am humbled and excited to lead the dedicated OCR team and work alongside campus partners as we do this important work together.”
Rugless is an Army veteran. Prior to her time at Cornell, she was the executive director of equity and access services and Title IX coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University.
She earned her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the College of William & Mary. Rugless went on to practice law in Virginia, specializing in employment law and employment discrimination.
Rugless’s appointment is subject to board approval at its June 16 meeting in Grand Rapids.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State names VP for civil rights and Title IX compliance
