As a first-generation undocumented immigrant, Gabriel Cabrera Ruiz set out to make his family proud.
He’s done that and so much more. Graduating from NIU this spring with a degree in environmental studies, the 25-year-old has earned a full scholarship to pursue a Master of Environmental Science this upcoming fall at Yale’s School of Environment.
Gabriel Cabrera Ruiz
It’s an achievement he never really expected, but one he fully deserves, said Professor Holly Jones, who has mentored and advised Ruiz. Jones holds a joint appointment with Biological Sciences and the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy and earned both her Ph.D. and her master’s degree at Yale.
“As an alumna of Yale School of the Environment, I can say it is an incredible honor and rarity to get a full ride to the master’s program there,” Jones said. “It speaks to Gabe’s grit, ambition and drive that he received this offer and honor and I could not be prouder of this amazing accomplishment.”
Originally from Mexico, Ruiz came to the United States at the age of 5. He graduated from Elgin High School in 2017 and attended Elgin Community College for several years, while working multiple jobs.
After ECC, he spent a year and a half working 50 to 60 hours a week at two different retail jobs to save money, his sights set on NIU.
“There were a lot of things that were against me coming back to school, but I knew if I wanted to help my family and have an impact in my community I needed to go back to school,” he said.
He came to NIU with a mission—to break down stereotypes associated with undocumented individuals and to inspire others, especially underrepresented populations, to pursue their dreams regardless of backgrounds and circumstances.
“Growing up, I faced discrimination as an undocumented immigrant, but I refuse to let those negative attitudes define me,” he said.
Originally pursuing engineering after high school, his love of the outdoors soon nudged him more toward environmental studies.
He’d like to eventually become a project manager in the renewable and sustainable energy field.
“I believe that by moving away from fossil fuels and embracing green energy, we can improve living standards and increase access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare and other necessary resources,” he said. “My passion for the environment and the values instilled in me by my parents drive me to make a positive impact in the world.”
Ruiz believes life often takes you where it wants to take you.
Maybe so, but he’s proved just how far hard work and determination get you as well.
“Gabe exemplifies the Huskie commitment to service, impact and excellence,” said Thomas Skuzinski, director of the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy and an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration.
A finalist for the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award—a prestigious honor that recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of NIU’s top graduating student—Ruiz serves as a research fellow supporting the institute’s work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He has a near 4.0 GPA.
Among various projects, he has worked with Courtney Gallaher, NIU’s sustainability coordinator, on implementing sustainability policies. He also helped the university secure funding for lagoon restoration, an effort he counts among his favorite memories at NIU.
“I think what I learned here at NIU is to be active and to connect with people because that’s how you build a network, and that’s how you get opportunities,” he said. “I’m excited to impact the community at Yale the same way I was involved here at NIU.”
At the same time, he said, it all feels surreal.
He applied to five graduate schools and gained admission to all. He never imagined he’d wind up with a full scholarship to Yale, one of the leading institutions in the environmental world. The program itself is competitive, and the scholarships even more competitive.
“I don’t know how to put it into words,” said Ruiz, who not only was the first in his family to attend college, but also the first in his family to graduate high school.
“A lot of weight was placed on me to be able to just represent my family as a whole. It’s a lot of emotions, I guess. I hope that my journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background or circumstances. We all have the power to make a difference in the world, and I am excited to be a part of that change.”
