We are happy to announce Paola Ruiz, Program Coordinator for the TRIO Student Success Program at WSU-Tri-Cities, as a Crimson Spirit Award recipient.

Paola, a WSU Alum, is the key coordinator for TRIO events on the Tri-Cities Campus; events that celebrate, support and empower students. She consistently comes up with new ideas, supports and assists her colleagues, and nurtures work relationships that facilitate collaborations among WSUTC TRIO and other units. “Her presence and work supports a sense of belonging, not only for students but also others working and interacting with [the WSU Tri-Cities] Community.”

A nominator describes her as a driving force in offering many great opportunities for faculty and students; such as attending the National Diversity in STEM SACNAS Conference in Portland, OR, and the Association of Psychological Science Conference in Washington, DC. In addition to those events she even collaborates with faculty and staff to offer events right on the Tri-Cities campus. “Not only does TRIO benefit from Paola’s talent, skills passion, and dedication; but the entire WSU Tri-Cities campus benefits.”

A common thread between Paola’s nominations is about her welcoming and uplifting personality. She is said to be detail-oriented, efficient, fun, and funny. One nominator finishes by saying, “Effective student outreach teamwork requires agility, flexibility, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Combine that with technical savvy and streamlined efficiency; [that] sums up Paola Ruiz.”