Penn State Harrisburg professor receives prestigious award

Penn State Harrisburg professor receives prestigious award

Penn State Harrisburg has recently announced that associate professor James Ruiz has been formally recognized by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences as the winner of the 2010 Outstanding Mentor Award, according to Penn State Live, the university's official news source.

A faculty member with the institution since 2000, Ruiz is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and currently a professor in the online bachelor of science in criminal justice program, which is offered through Penn State's World Campus.

Looking back on his career, Ruiz said he is most proud of the accomplishments of the students that he has mentored over the past decade. As of 2010, more than 30 undergraduate and graduate students studying under Ruiz have been invited to present their research at conferences around the country.

Ruiz "has a way of recognizing exceptional talent in students and engaging that talent in scholarly activities," said Barbara Sims the coordinator of criminal justice programs at the school. "There is no doubt that our students have been well served by Ruiz, and we are pleased to see that the academy has rewarded him for his efforts."

Today, nearly 4 million students are taking online courses and earning online college degrees.

By Mark Danson