Katia Vargas de la Cruz has served as an Equity Officer and Investigator with the Office of Institutional Equity at New Mexico State University since 2022. She holds dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and Criminal Justice from NMSU.

During her graduate studies, Katia worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice and Government and held a leadership role as Vice President of Activities for the Graduate Student Council. She also completed a nearly two-year internship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Civil Rights Division, where she gained experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist.

Katia is dedicated to fostering a campus culture where all members of the university community have equitable access to academic and professional opportunities. She brings a strong commitment to justice, inclusion, and service to her role at OIE.