Dr. Eddy Ruiz, UHP’s Associate Director, has been an essential part of this program for our students, staff, faculty, and overall UC Davis community.

In early 2016, Dr. Ruiz joined UC Davis as the inaugural Associate Director of both the newly created University Honors Program and a rapidly expanding First Year Seminars Program. Dr. Ruiz has been a tremendous partner in all aspects related to the long-term vision, daily operations, growth, and overall success of UHP and FYS. He also worked directly with UHP’s Year 3 and 4 transfer students, serving as a compassionate and dedicated mentor to many students as they adjusted to UC Davis and began developing their Signature Work.

Dr. Ruiz’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion was central to the pursuit of inclusive excellence in both UHP and FYS. UHP was recently recognized as one of the top honors programs or colleges among R1 institutions in the country in reflecting the diversity of the host institution student population, an achievement made possible by Dr. Ruiz’s leadership. Dr. Ruiz worked tirelessly to enhance and diversify UHP’s recruitment and selection process for all three UHP entry tracks (first-year students, on-campus admits, and transfer students).

Dr. Ruiz is widely recognized as a valued mentor, role model, and empathetic leader who has been invaluable in supporting UHP staff, students, and faculty, as well as with developing UHP into the prestigious and inclusive program it is today. He will be deeply missed by all, although we wish him the best in his new position as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. We thank him for all his meaningful work and look forward to seeing what else he will achieve.

Dr. Ruiz's last day with UHP was February 19, 2021.