Reitz Wishtischin is a reporter for the Vermont Cynic, where a version of this story was first published.
The University of Vermont’s first sexual violence and education coordinator begins Tuesday, just four days after hundreds of students gathered to protest UVM’s handling of complaints by survivors of sexual assault and misconduct.
Elliot Ruggles was hired Jan. 13 from a pool of more than three dozen applicants and will work under Dean of Students David Nestor’s supervision. Ruggles will have an office in Nicholson House where students and UVM affiliates can visit.
“It’s an honor to work directly with survivors. … and I carry all of their stories with me when I’m thinking of the prevention aspect of the role,” Ruggles said. “I’m excited to work on and form relationships with the students who are really passionate about this.”
Once in place, Ruggles said they will conduct a needs-based assessment to find what students feel are the knowledge gaps in their experiences.
“Unfortunately, throughout the U.S., we have varying degrees of comprehensive sexuality education,” they said. “I’m really looking forward to putting into practice some of that comprehensive sex ed training that I have.”
Ruggles — who is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a doctorate in human sexuality studies from Widener University — specializes in sex therapy, gender-based violence prevention and “culturally competent” LGBTQ+ services, according to their LinkedIn profile.
Ruggles is trans, queer and polyamorous, they said in a Dec. 1 presentation to the UVM community, and practices “ethical nonmonogamy.”
Ruggles comes to UVM after six years at Brown University, where they oversaw a variety of peer education programs, according to the presentation. Ruggles earlier served as the director of the Sexuality and Resource Center for SUNY Oneonta in New York.
“This is really a dream job for me to have a little bit of creative license,” Ruggles said at the time. “I’m really excited to get started with the work and get to know you all there.”
The UVM search committee included Joe Russell, assistant dean of students for retention; Maddie Henson, a senior and Student Government Association senator; Kelly Thorne, a sports psychologist and counseling coordinator at UVM; Genell Mikkalson, a nurse-midwife and clinical assistant professor at UVM; and Elise Prehoda, a second-year medical student.
A number of sexual misconduct reports have implicated the College of Medicine, Prehoda said, and students have drawn attention to the college’s shortcomings in medical education surrounding sexual assault.
“My biggest core values are honesty, communication and respect, and those are the three things anytime that I’m interviewing someone that I place at the forefront,” Prehoda said. “Elliot’s enthusiasm just exudes care.”
Nestor and Erica Caloiero, vice provost of student affairs, served as the primary hiring officials and made the final decision based on the recommendations of the committee.
“The search committee screened, interviewed and ensured a broad set of stakeholders were engaged in the interview process,” Caloiero said.
Thirty-seven people initially applied for the position, but over three or four months the committee narrowed the applicant pool to three finalists, Henson said. The committee conducted hourlong interviews with each of the finalists.
The committee sought out candidates willing to break norms and exceed minimum expectations and goals of the position, Henson said. She wanted the role to be filled by someone unafraid to push the status quo.
“I really hope (Ruggles’ position) will foster a new life and shift the dialogue towards positive sexuality, consent work, restorative justice, holding perpetrators accountable and making sure that survivors are heard,” Henson said.
Henson said she and other committee members hope this position involves preventative sexual assault work with an emphasis on helping those who are Black, Indigenous and people of color as well as LGBTQ+ individuals.
“(The university) cannot absolve themselves now of any harm that they’ve done, but they should continue to hear student demands, student voices and continue the conversation,” Henson said. “The conversation doesn’t end with Ruggles’ hiring.”
