Pomona College’s Destiny Marrufo will be assuming the role of Title IX coordinator and clery officer this spring, retiring her position as assistant director of Campus Advocacy, Resources, Education and Support (CARES). The previous Title IX coordinator, Erica Moorer Taylor, stepped down from her position on Oct. 25, 2023.
Dean of Students Avis Hinkson announced the staff change in an email to the student body on Jan. 24, in which she highlighted Maruffo’s qualifications and noted that the search for a new assistant director of the CARES office was underway.
“Destiny developed our Campus Advocate program, created a training module for them and supervised a student team as they provided support and educational opportunities for their peers,” Hinkson said. “With a commitment to educating our community, Destiny developed our current Sexual Violence Strategic Educational Plan for faculty, staff and students, as well as our mandatory educational series for first-year students.”
Maruffo expressed excitement to step into her new role, noting that her main goal is to make the Title IX office a safe and comfortable place for students.
“I want people to feel that our office is an open place where they can seek support and feel confident knowing we are a team that is trauma-informed, impartial and supportive,” she said in an email to TSL.
She also highlighted the differences between her previous position as CARES director and her new role as Title IX coordinator, remarking that she is no longer a confidential resource for students and now follows protocol for mandated reporters.
“This does not mean that everything you share with me will be told to others,” Maruffo said. “However, there is a difference between being a confidential resource and being a private resource. I will utilize restorative justice principles and a trauma-informed framework, but the Title IX Office is a reporting office that is neutral, impartial and supports all parties.”
While a committee is currently searching for a new assistant director of the CARES office, the position remains vacant for the time being.
“In the interim, Bri Sérráno, assistant dean of students and director of the Queer Resource Center, has agreed to meet regularly with the Campus Advocates and assist students seeking confidential support,” Hinkson said.
Campus advocate Sydney Greek PO ’26 shared her support for Maruffo, whom she saw speak at an interview hosted for students.
“We were really happy it was Destiny who got the position,” Greek said. “I think she gave a really stellar interview at the student presentation. Just very organized. She had a very clear, strategic vision.”
Greek also highlighted Maruffo’s desire to involve students in her work.
“From having worked with Destiny the past semester, I know that she is really gung-ho about seeking student involvement,” Greek said. “We’ve had conversations about starting a student focus group, like a student task-force and I think that’s a really big goal of hers … That’s something positive I would definitely anticipate.”
Maruffo recognized the importance of her previous experience at Pomona in easing the transition into this new role.
“The work I have done with the CARES Office has allowed me to be in front of students in various ways, building trust and rapport with our students,” Maruffo said. “I will bring those same efforts and relationships into my new role as the Title IX Coordinator.”
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