World Traveler: Rese Ruffin ’00 

Since graduating from the University of Georgia in 2004, Rese Ruffin ’00 has circled the globe in her myriad travels. Her passport stamps include Poland, India, Iran, Russia, Siberia, Thailand, New Zealand, Nepal and Mexico. On her list for the future are Chile and Argentina. 

She works independently in academic consulting and writes books for standardized tests such as the LSAT and MCAT. A side gig helping friends turned into a career that has allowed her to travel so extensively and even stay long-term in some of her favorite locations such as Thailand. 

“It’s been wonderful to experience cultures I wasn’t familiar with,” Ms. Ruffin said. 

She graduated HIES feeling prepared not only for the academic journey ahead but also to live and work independently. “Dr. [Chris] Swann really helped my writing skills,” she said. “Freshman seminars were easy for me.” 

After commuting to HIES via Marta from southwest Atlanta, she learned a great deal about self-sufficiency. Earning status as a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo instilled her with a sense of discipline as well. 

As a freshman at UGA, Ms. Ruffin was named to the Dean William Tate Honor Society, an honor reserved for 24 new students based on their academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and the pillars of the society – scholarship, leadership and service. 

“The academic experience at HIES really prepared me to do so much,” she said. 

Ms. Ruffin serves as a Class of 2000 alumni representative.