Scholar in the News
Ahmad Ali Lewis isn't a typical Stanford undergrad - nor is he a typical rapper
Ruth Arviso
“Through my concentration on social perceptions and relations of underserved populations, I can increase our understanding of what encourages, and what discourages, their help-seeking behaviors.”
- Program: 2008 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: New York, NY
- Hometown: Pasadena, CA
- Age: 37
- Community College: Pasadena City College
- Four-year College or University: Pitzer College
- Graduate School: The New School
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Psychology / Therapy, Public Services
- Other Interests: Social Science / Anthropology
Biography
PROFILE: Ruth Arviso resigned from a lucrative corporate career in the hospitality industry in 2002 to begin a more fulfilling career in social services. She began working with a small grass roots social service agency in Pasadena, California serving underprivileged families with self-empowerment programs. Subsequent experience working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as personal experience with issues of poverty and clinical depression, motivated her to pursue research on psychological and social issues to learn how to prevent the self-debilitating behaviors of people with low self-esteem.
Ruth completed her bachelor’s degree in political psychology at Pitzer College and will pursue a graduate degree in social psychology, concentrating on the social perceptions and relations of underprivileged and underserved populations. After completing her graduate work, Ruth plans to return to her community to put her knowledge into practice by helping social service agencies working with marginalized populations.
INSPIRATION: Ruth’s father has been a major inspiration. “His concern for the well being of others has shaped my intentions for my graduate research and long term career aspirations.”
ASPIRATION: Ruth’s long-term career goal is to work with social service agencies to create welcoming environments for underserved, marginalized populations such as the homeless and mentally ill by publishing and distributing materials that increase agency staff awareness of a patient’s social or cultural sensitivities.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Ruth has served the Pasadena community as a volunteer for many years. She has worked with the City of Pasadena Northwest Commission, encouraging business and low-income housing by facilitating redevelopment projects, assisted in outreaching food pantry programs to Spanish speaking populations, and provided rehabilitation resources for at-risk youth.
ACCOLADES: Ruth received Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Community from the US House of Representatives in 2006. The same year, the California State Senate awarded her its Senate Recognition for Public Service Award.
INTERESTING FACT: Ruth ran the Los Angeles Marathon.
Other Scholars Like Ruth
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William Rivers, III
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Mercer University
Rebecca Zilinski
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Rachel Brewer
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Johns Hopkins University