The Arthur Ashe Jr. Award is given each year to a student that has excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. Natilee Ruiz, a senior Child and Family Development major, took home the title as this year’s award recipient.
Ruiz has received this award for her athletic, academic, and on/off campus activities during her time at San Diego State University. Athletically, Ruiz has been a two-year captain for the University’s swimming and diving team. During her time with the team, she has qualified and competed in U.S. Olympic trials as well as placed in numerous swimming championships.
She has been named a Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete each of her years at SDSU and has made the Dean’s list every semester. On top of her conference and school recognition, she received academic awards for her high GPA during swim and dive seasons.
Ruiz also keeps busy outside of school and sports, where she organizes events that promote awareness for important subjects such as ALS, Autism, and a free health care clinic. She has had the opportunity to volunteer and intern at the SDSU Children's Center, Rady Children's Hospital, and a therapeutic horseback riding ranch for children with special needs.
The College of Education would like to congratulate Natilee for her extensive academic, athletic, and philanthropic work that prove her to be deserving of such a prestigious award!