The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Alaina Ruffin, BA English '23, with the 2026 CHSS G.O.L.D. - Graduate of the Last Decade award.
Ruffin is a paralegal for the Human Rights Program at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In her current role, Ruffin works in a shared capacity between the ACLU’s Human Rights Program and the Trone Center for Justice and Equality.
Through past experiences at the ACLU of Virginia, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Ruffin has promoted progressive policy and advocacy efforts for racial justice and policing reform on local, state, and federal levels.
Through experiences at the African American Policy Forum and Women Empowering Nations, she has applied theoretical frameworks of intersectionality to facilitate programs uplifting equity for historically underrepresented communities. Her current advocacy portfolio includes issues related to criminal legal reform, racial and reparatory justice, migrants’ rights, poverty and unhoused justice, and First Amendment rights to speech and assembly.
Congratulations, Alaina Ruffin!
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences honors distinguished alumni each fall at Community and Catalysts: Achievements, Awards, and Innovations. This signature event is a celebration of alumni, faculty, and students whose leadership, research, and service have made outstanding contributions to their fields, communities, and to the university.