Cornell University’s Office of Civil Rights (COCR) announces several leadership updates and role transitions that reflect internal growth and the university’s continued commitment to equity, compliance, and fairness.

Lauren Branchini, who has served as Cornell’s Title IX Coordinator since 2021, has transitioned into a new role within COCR and will now serve as Cornell’s Hearing Chair for all matters related to Policy 6.4. In this role, Branchini serves as the non‑voting Hearing Chair for all hearings involving sexual and related misconduct. She also leads training for hearing panelists and procedural advisors and supports updates to university policy and procedures.

Branchini joined Cornell in 2017 as a Title IX Investigator, was promoted to Deputy Title IX Coordinator in 2018, and assumed the role of Title IX Coordinator in 2021. She holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor from Emory University.

Samantha Freeburn has been promoted to serve as Cornell’s Title IX Coordinator. In this role, Freeburn oversees the university’s prompt, impartial, and equitable response to, and investigation of, allegations of sexual and related misconduct. She also serves as a central resource for Cornell across its campuses on issues related to Title IX, the Clery Act/VAWA, New York State Education Law Article 129‑B, and Cornell University Policy 6.4.

Freeburn joined Cornell in March 2023 as a Title IX Investigator and was promoted to Deputy Title IX Coordinator in April 2024. Prior to joining Cornell, she served in investigatory roles at Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, and Boston University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and her Juris Doctor from the College of William & Mary.

Cooper Sirwatka has also been formally named Cornell’s Title VI Coordinator, a role he has served in since June 2025. As Title VI Coordinator, Sirwatka coordinates and oversees a centralized process for institutional compliance with Title VI. He continues to serve concurrently as Director of Civil Rights Compliance within COCR.

Sirwatka joined Cornell in 2022 following work at several nonprofit organizations focused on housing discrimination. He earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase and his Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Together, these leadership updates strengthen the Office of Civil Rights and advance Cornell’s continued commitment to civil rights compliance and institutional accountability.