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Cielo Ruiz serves as a First-Year Graduate Research Assistant for Research and Grants at The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. She is a research assistant on two major projects supporting The Centers research agenda: (a) the 2023 National Survey on the First-Year Experience and (b) the Advising Success Network (ASN) grant-funded project examining the student experience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). She is also a graduate member staff for the Journal of the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. Cielo graduated from the University of South Carolina in the Spring of 2023 and is continuing her education at USC in the Counseling Education, ED.S Program. In addition to her work and studies, she enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family.  

Educational Background 

• Counselor Education (ED.S)- School Counseling Track, University of South Carolina (Projected to graduate in 2025) 
• Bachelor of Arts- Psychology with a Minor in Counselor Education, University of South Carolina