Araiña Muñiz began a new role on Jan. 15, serving as CSU’s new executive director for civil rights compliance. 

Muñiz is not new to Colorado State University, having served as CSU’s Title IX coordinator and director in the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity.

Muñiz demonstrates ongoing leadership nationally, serving on the Association of Title IX Administrators’(ATIXA) Advisory Board, as well as ATIXA’s Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. 

Muñiz reports directly to the president’s chief of staff, Rico Munn. In a move to streamline the resource and reporting services provided to CSU community members, in the role of executive director for civil rights compliance Muñiz will oversee the merger of CSU’s Office of Title IX Programs and Office for Equal Opportunity, a move which has been underway since approximately August of 2023. OEO no longer handles any job searches; that function is now in Talent Acquisition in the Division of Human Resources.

The re-envisioned unit will be charged with providing leadership in and ensuring institutional compliance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, including provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, Title VII and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as any local, state or federal laws and regulations related to discrimination or harassment based on any protected identity, including sex or gender.

Under Muñiz’s leadership, this unit will implement, monitor and evaluate programs, activities, policies and procedures that support Colorado State University’s commitment to equity, equal opportunity and access in education and employment. It ensures that an environment of excellence exists at Colorado State in which all individuals can participate to the full level of their capabilities, realize their aspirations and contribute to the global society in which we live. 

“We are fortunate to have such a capable and committed campus partner in this role,” said Shannon Archibeque-Engle, associate vice president for inclusive excellence and chair of the search committee. “Araiña is a respected professional and skilled investigator. Her collaboration with the Bias Reporting System has been invaluable. I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.” 

Muñiz and her team are located in the Student Services Building, Room 123.