Terry Leyba Ruiz

SVP and Chief Program and Advocacy Officer

Education Forward Arizona

Dr. Ruiz has served students, faculty, staff, and the community as an educator in Arizona for 33 years. She recently retired as the President of Glendale Community College in the Maricopa County Community College District and now serves as a Senior Vice President for Education Forward Arizona, an education non-profit organization. Dr. Ruiz was recently appointed as a Commissioner on President Biden's Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics, giving her a platform to make a difference on a national level. As an executive leader, she has developed
partnerships with businesses, cities, K-12 and university partners, and local nonprofits to support students and the community. Dr. Ruiz supports the community through service on several Boards and recently served as the Chair of the Board for the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and is honored to be the recipient of several awards from community
organizations.
Dr. Ruiz has taught mathematics for 23 years,, engaging and encouraging students from the 7th grade to the community college. At the core of who she is, Dr. Ruiz is a teacher and believes that all students can achieve great things with the right support and hard work. She has used this core belief to guide her as a teacher and as an executive leader, recognizing
that the magic happens in the classroom, and is a vocal advocate for faculty, staff, and administrators.
Dr. Ruiz has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Mathematics Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University, and Doctorate in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from ASU. Dr. Ruiz is married to Bobby Ruiz, Retired Fire
Chief, and has two college-aged daughters representing the second-generation of college students in her family.