Biography
Dr. Ruff currently serves as an Associate Professor within the College of Science and Technology at Temple University, PA. In his current role, Dr. Ruff instructs Math and Science courses to matriculating undergraduate students. Employed at Temple University since 2008, Dr. Ruff has also provided ten (10) years of service as Director and Faculty Advisor of Temple University’s TUteach Program. In this role, he provided oversight of eight (8) STEM degree programs for students who aspired to become secondary level teachers in Pennsylvania Public Schools. His Doctoral research cites his aspirations and work towards implementing effective and sustainable student advising metrics to support student retention and student persistence to graduation.
Education reflects Dr. Ruff’s “Life’s Work.” His current work at Temple University is preceded by assignments at two community colleges in Pennsylvania- Bucks County Community College and Montgomery County Community College, where he directed programs for at-risk and underserved students. Along with his service to the higher education community, Dr. Ruff’s origins began in public school, where he served for 14 years as a certified teacher of middle grades mathematics, as an assistant principal and as a school principal. These leadership roles extended beyond academics into athletics, where he also served as Head Coach of the Willingboro High School Boys Junior Varsity baseball team, and as Head Coach of the Girls Varsity Softball team.
In the realm of Social Justice, Dr. Ruff is also aligned with several community service ventures that advocate for and support our most marginalized populations, specifically in Education, Law Enforcement (police-community engagement) and Health Services (Covid-19 response.) He also serves as Co-Chair of the Racial Equity and Justice Council (REJC) with Temple’s Association of University Professionals (TAUP.)
Dr. Ruff earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Temple University in May 2018. He supports his years of service in the field with a Master of Science (MS) degree in Professional Education from St. Joseph’s University (PA) and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY. He completed his undergraduate studies at Bloomfield College, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree) in Sociology- Criminal Justice.