Published June 21,2019
The University of Louisiana Monroe announces the appointment of Alberto Ruiz, Ed.D.,
as Vice President of Academic Affairs. He comes to ULM from Texas A&M University-Kingsville
(TAMUK) where he was Dean of the College of Education and Human Performance and Professor
of Kinesiology. During his 25 years at TAMUK, Ruiz served in several capacities in
teaching, research and administration.
Dr. Alberto Ruiz, VP of Academic Affairs
“We are delighted to have Dr. Ruiz as ULM’s Vice President of Academic Affairs,” said
President Dr. Nick J. Bruno. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the
university. Dr. Ruiz is an asset to the Warhawk family and the community.”
“ULM is a place with great tradition and values and I want to build on that. I want
to continue to provide excellent academic programs to Northeast Louisiana, the state,
region and the country,” Ruiz said. “I am glad to be a member of the Warhawk family.”
Ruiz sees the addition of VCOM medical school as a catalyst to furthering the university’s
vision to be among the nation’s top universities with an emphasis on health sciences.
“I am excited with VCOM coming to campus. I envision implementing new and expanded
academic programs as ULM attracts an increasing number of pre-med, health sciences
and pharmacy students,” Ruiz said. “That kind of growth will be founded on the strength
of ULM’s existing programs in all disciplines.”
Ruiz attended TAMUK and obtained his Bachelor of Science, as well as his Master of
Science in Kinesiology with a specialization in Athletic Administration in 1995. He
earned his Doctorate of Education in 2001 from the University of Houston in Physical
Education Pedagogy.
President Nick and Linda Bruno and Grace and Albert Ruiz.
His primary areas of expertise are academic program development and management, assessment
of teaching/learning and program effectiveness, identifying external funding for program
growth and development, planning longitudinally and thinking strategically, outreach
connection to public schools, leading successful doctoral programs and management
and development of distance education and remote site programs.
At TAMUK Ruiz was responsible for the administration of 45 faculty members, 18 staff
members and an annual budget of $5.2 million. While dean, enrollment grew approximately
4.6 percent per year and retention increased more than 16 percent. External funding
for research increased from $400,000 to $1,675,000 and faculty research and productivity
tripled.
Ruiz led the efforts for more online programs and was the only college in the country
to have two Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans grants
from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as a $2.75 million teacher preparation
grant.
Ruiz has taught sport coaching and officiating, sports administration, sports law,
and college physical education. His research has focused on children’s attitudes toward
physical activity, self-reported physical activity, youth physical activity, sport
coaching and officiating, athletic administration and education. As a result, Ruiz
has published scholarly articles and abstracts, and made several peer-reviewed presentations
at international, national and state conferences.
He has served as an NCAA basketball and track official for more than 20 years.
Outside of work, Ruiz strives to be a positive role model for youth. The youngest
of 10 children, he is a first-generation college graduate. In 2008, he was recognized
as the Rising Star Recipient by the Javelina Alumni Association, was named in the
Who’s Who among America’s Teachers in 2007 and 2009, and received the Alice High School
Alumni Award in 2010. He was a Ron McNair faculty mentor in 2005. He has served
as president of the Rotary Sunrise Club of Kingsville, AACTE National Board, Site
Base Decision Making Committees for Kingsville and Santa Gertrudis ISDs, and is an
active member of his community.
Ruiz is an avid runner and has completed five marathons and one ultra-marathon.
