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EDUCATION
2024


2020


2018
MFA (pending) in Studio Art 
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

BFA in Studio Art, summa cum laude
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Associate of Arts, Highest Honors
Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ
RESEARCH + TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2022


2022


2022


2022
Graduate Student Research for Music & Creative Aging Story Lab
School of Music at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Studio Assistant for Honors Special Topics in Fine Arts Course
W.A. Franke Honors College at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Graduate Preceptor for Introduction to Modern Design History Course
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Teaching Artist for Spring Session
Young Fauves Youth Program at MOCA | Tucson, AZ
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2022–


2021–2022


2018–2020
Digital Content Graduate Assistant | Thrive Center
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Associate Designer 
BRINK | Tucson, AZ

Graphic Designer | Arizona Athletics
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ
HONORS + AWARDS
2023


2022


2022


2021


2021


2020


2020


2019


2019
Higher Education Partners Scholarship | $1880 
Penland School of Craft  | Penland, NC

Anne Moreton Memorial Scholarship | $1255.58
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Graduate College Fellowship | $2000
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Graduate Access Fellowship | $8000
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Graduate Tuition Scholarship | $7938
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

College of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

School of Art Outstanding Senior
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Highest Academic Distinction
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Dean’s List with Distinction
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023


2022


2020–2021



2020


2020


2019
Donors and Scholars Exhibition | Lionel Rombach Gallery
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Interdisciplinary Graduate Show | Graduate Gallery
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Picturing 2020 | Online Exhibition
The University of Arizona Museum of Art | Tucson, AZ
PERMANENT COLLECTION

BFA Capstone Show | Online Exhibition
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

27th International Poster Biennale | Krakowskie Przedmieście 5
Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts | Warsaw, Poland

Handmade with Keyboards and Hammers | Steinfeld Warehouse
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, + WORKSHOPS
2023


2023


2022


2020
Design, Letterpress Printing, and Memory | April 8
AIGA Arizona at ASU Polytechnic Campus | Mesa, AZ

First Generation Flash Session | February 14
Student Success Conference at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

IDA Portfolio Review Workshop | February 2
School of Art at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Outstanding Senior Address Graduation Convocation | December 17
College of Fine Arts at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ
WEBSITE PUBLICATION
2020
Snyder, Charlie . “Deborah Ruiz: Ultimate Adapter.” The College of Fine Arts. The University of Arizona, December 20, 2020. https://cfa.arizona.edu/deborah-ruiz-the-ultimate-adapter/.
PUBLICATIONS
2023


2022


2021
You Are Here: The Journal of Creative Geography. Volume 24 | Design
The University of Arizona School of Geography, Development, & Environment

You Are Here: The Journal of Creative Geography. Volume 23 | Design
The University of Arizona School of Geography, Development, & Environment

You Are Here: The Journal of Creative Geography. Volume 22 | Design
The University of Arizona School of Geography, Development, & Environment
VOLUNTEER + OUTREACH
2023

2023

2022–


2021–

2021


2020
Youth Art Contest Judge for Pima County District 5 | Tucson, AZ

Peer Reviewer for You Are Here: The Journal of Creative Geography | Tucson, AZ

Early-Stage Social Engagement Leader
Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter | Tucson, AZ

School of Art Ambassador at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Registration Assistant 
COVID-19 State Vaccination Site at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

School of Art Advising Ambassador at The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ
CERTIFICATIONS + TRAINING
2022

2022

2022

2022

2022

2022
Professional Development | Adobe Education Summit

Social and Behavioral Research Investigator | CITI Program

Social and Behavioral Clinical Research | CITI Program

Responsible Conduct Research | CITI Program

Conflict of Interest Required Disclosure Training | The University of Arizona

Creative Aging Professional Development Training | West Valley Arts Council
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Adobe Education Exchange

Arizona Athletics Wildcat Club | Tucson, AZ

Creative Mornings | Tucson, AZ

American Institute of Graphic Art (AIGA) | Arizona
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