She currently serves as the Associated Vice President for the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at Cornell University. 

In her presentation, Rugless laid out four short-term goals which would take between one to three years to implement.

One of these goals was to develop a framework to demonstrate how the Office of Civil Rights works cohesively in order to work toward its purpose and vision. The framework, which is currently in place at MSU, is loosely based on a model with three main components: Prevent, Stop and Remedy. Each of these components include specific tools the office can implement, such as a Bystander Network workshop.

“And hopefully we don’t continue to just go around the circle, but we’re actually bending the arc to reduce the prevalence rate,” Rugless said. 

Addressing a question about how prevention fits into her goals, Rugless said the way Cornell approaches sexual harassment training is through a public health based model.

“Sort of moving away from this notion of just preventing sexual violence (to) really establishing a different ecosystem for how people have sexual relationships.” Rugless said. 

The training itself involves a research-based approach to grab the attention of those who don’t have an interest in this subject by building empathy.

Cornell does so in partnership with its interactive Theater Ensemble, which uses actors working with experts to develop an inner monologue of someone experiencing some sort of incident related to sexual violence and harassment. 

Another short-term goal that Rugless said is “very important” to her personally is to "champion the team" by addressing issues within the office and those who work in it. These issues include examining staffing and workload, as well as improving office administration and the case management system. 

Her long-term goals would ideally be implemented in the next three to five years.

One of the two involves transitioning from an relationship violence and sexual misconduct plan to a broader civil rights plan, which she calls a “Civil Rights Strategic Plan,” that takes on a pre-preventative approach.

“So if you think about dental care, beyond just flossing, brushing and avoiding sugar from the time that you have to plan how your teeth will become part of your overall health and serve you well throughout your life,” Rugless said. 

The second, she said, is to make MSU an impactful civil rights leader in the United States. Rugless said it is “absolutely possible” for MSU to become a global leader in this aspect through courageous leadership, influence on other sectors and its expertise. 

“I would want to work purposefully, cohesively to build bridges,” Rugless said. “To provide all the things I’ve talked about in the near-term goals. Visibility, understanding and support.”