Meet members of Geneseo's Class of 2017, who exemplify the college’s commitment to community, innovation, creativity, sustainability, and excellence. In the coming weeks, student writers will highlight our newest alumni and the contributions they have made, the calling they have found and discoveries made along the way.
As a senior political science major and a public administration minor, Daniel Ruiz has taken advantage of Geneseo’s numerous opportunities to attain more hands-on experience with his major.
Last year, two Geneseo students ran for the Village Board and Ruiz was part of a small group which mobilized and reached out to a multitude of students to spread awareness about the election. Ultimately, the students won both seats.
“For me, working on the campaign really sparked the idea that young people could do big things,” he says.
The epiphany made him want to become more politically involved. He did so by building bridges between students and migrant workers, and assisting a state lawmaker.
Over a summer, he completed an internship through the SUNY Washington Internship program, working with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in Washington, D.C.
Working with Gillibrand, he put what he learned in one of his public policy courses to use. That course was taught by Assistant Professor Eunju Kang, who Daniel considers to be a mentor. He also learned first-hand how policy-making works, and how different organizations go to “The Hill” to pitch and gain support for their legislation.
Upon his return, he began to work for the Worker’s Justice Center, which seeks to advocate for the immigrant worker population in western New York. Seeing the type of issues agricultural migrant workers face prompted him to begin the Student Coalition for Migrant Workers, a grassroots student organization that focuses on advocacy for the local migrant population.
Together, they organized a community soccer game between local migrant workers and students.
“It was really cool because the game helped people to recognize that the migrant workers are here,” he says. “ It really helped to raise awareness.”
Continuing his work with migrant workers, he also organized a language and cultural exchange program, in which farmworkers could improve their English-speaking skills by working with Geneseo students. Another mentor, anthropology Assistant Professor Jennifer Guzmán, is the group’s advisor.
Post-graduation, Ruiz will be traveling to Mexico for the first time to explore his roots. Upon returning, he hopes to go back to Washington D.C., to continue public service.
— By Genna Amick ’18, Academic Affairs intern