Ruiz was first elected to the board in 1983 and has served several terms as president and vice president. Ruiz began his career in education 37 years ago and currently serves as a counselor at Irvine Valley College. Throughout his career, Ruiz has championed access to higher education for all students. He has served as a board member of the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) and Community College League of California (CCLC) and is a founding member of the Association of Latino Community College Trustees. Ruiz currently serves as the Coast Community College District representative to the Orange County Community Colleges Legislative Task Force.

        A long-time resident of Huntington Beach, Ruiz has served the community as a member of the Huntington Beach and Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized with numerous awards including the Hispanic Education Endowment’s Career Achievement Award, the Association of Latino Community College Trustees’ Leadership Award, and the Chuck Ayala Trustee Leadership Award.

        The long-time Huntington Beach resident was surprised by the special recognition from his colleagues. “I had no idea this was on the agenda,” Ruiz joked. “It is an honor for me to serve on this board and to be recognized by this group of people who work so hard for the students of this District.”

        “Armando is truly dedicated to students,” said Board President Paul Berger. “We are extremely proud to have him as a colleague and it is our privilege to recognize his 20 years of service to our District.”

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        The Coast Community College District is the seventh largest community college district in the nation in credit enrollment, serving more than 60,000 students each semester. The district is comprised of Coastline Community College headquartered in Fountain Valley, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, and KOCE-TV, the district’s public broadcasting station.