People of CU Anschutz is an occasional series featuring students, faculty and staff who make our campus such a special place to study, work, research and dream. Read more profiles here.
Since arriving at CU Anschutz in September 2024, Mars Cruz has embraced both a new city and a new career path. Moving from Fresno, California, Cruz stepped into unfamiliar territory – transitioning from nonprofit health education work into Title IX and prevention efforts. Just over a year later, she says the experience has been transformative.
“I love it,” Cruz said. “It’s been a bit of a change for me personally and professionally, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
As the prevention coordinator for the Office of Equity, Cruz helps foster a safer and more inclusive campus environment. Her work includes leading training sessions, hosting outreach events, and increasing awareness around sexual misconduct and discrimination prevention ‒ efforts aimed at reducing harm before it occurs.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a fitting time to highlight the impact of these efforts.
Supporting Equity Across Campus
The Office of Equity serves as CU Anschutz’s main civil rights compliance office, overseeing policies related to Title IX and other forms of protected-class discrimination. While the work can sound technical, Cruz describes it in more human terms.
“At the core, our job is to make sure everyone has equal access to education and employment,” she explained.
The office’s work spans multiple approaches: some team members investigate reports of discrimination or harassment, others provide supportive measures and conflict resolution, and prevention staff like Cruz focus on education and awareness ‒ equipping the campus community to recognize, prevent and respond to harm.
Advancing Prevention On Campus & Across Colorado
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Cruz points to several initiatives happening not just on campus, but across the state, including:
- A student-led violence prevention group, driven by medical students and residents
- The SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Program, led by the Kempe Center, which provides specialized care and forensic services for survivors
- Research initiatives focused on injury and violence prevention, including partnerships with law enforcement to improve responses to civil protection orders
As part of this month’s activities, the Office of Equity and the Office of Access and Engagement are hosting a Community Day of Awareness on April 29 to honor survivors, those who work with survivors and those whose lives have been lost to sexual assault.
A Culture of Creativity and Resilience
Working at a medical campus might not immediately bring creativity to mind – but Cruz says that’s one of the most surprising and inspiring aspects of CU Anschutz.
“People here are incredibly creative,” she said, pointing to teams across campus who develop innovative ways to engage busy students in meaningful conversations around difficult topics.
She is also continually impressed by the student body. “Our students are incredibly tenacious,” Cruz said. “They’re balancing academics, jobs, clinical work – and still finding time to lead initiatives and support their peers.”
When asked to describe CU Anschutz in two words, Cruz paused before settling on two that felt right: creative and resilient.
Resilience, she noted, reflects the institution’s commitment to continuing critical work – even in the face of external challenges.
Unsung Work, Lasting Impact
Much of the Office of Equity's work happens behind the scenes by people who may not be widely visible across campus.
“A lot of the people doing this work are unsung heroes,” she said. “They may not be visible, but their impact is real – and it shows up in the support people receive every day.”
For Cruz, that’s what makes the role meaningful.
“I like to think I have the easiest, hardest job,” she said. “I stand on the work of people who do incredible things that often go unrecognized.”
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