UTRGV Athletics Adds Maria Ruiz as Athletics Graphic Designer

Updated: August 17, 2024

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Friday the addition of Maria Ruiz as the Athletics Graphic Designer that will be working cross-functionally with University Marketing and Communications.

Ruiz, a UTRGV alum, returns to UTRGV Athletics after spending five years with the department as a graphic designer. In this role, she contributed to diverse marketing materials, print, apparel, brand identity, and digital assets. She also collaborated with various departments across the athletic department to help execute design briefs and helped brainstorm ideas and concepts.

“I’m excited to have Maria back as part of our team,” associate athletic director for marketing and strategic initiatives Sara Hernandez said. “She’s made an impact in our department and our branding since she started working here as a student years ago and it was wonderful to see her grow with us. She’s back now after gaining a different set of experiences outside of our department and I’m confident that she will make an even greater impact in one of the most important moments in our history.”

In June 2022, Ruiz founded her own company, mcmystery L.L.C, an illustration and design business featuring original designs and artwork. As founder, Ruiz built a robust online presence through social platforms, established and managed in-house printing and manufacturing, executed marketing strategies to boost brand visibility and engagement, and oversaw the complete design process.

“I am thrilled to return to UTRGV Athletics,” Ruiz said. “It’s truly fantastic to be back with this incredible team. I eagerly anticipate contributing to the rich culture, unity, and spirit of this university, as we aim to make history together. I am deeply grateful to God for blessing me with this opportunity, to my husband for his unwavering support, and to my family and coworkers for their steadfast belief in me.”

Ruiz also has experience with video editing as a freelancer with IDEA Public School where she attained beginner proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects while showcasing creativity in editing promotional videos and social media clips.

Ruiz also spent one year as a graphic design freelancer for Pescador Fishing Apparel where she made on-brand, creative graphics for fishing apparel and collaborated on seamless graphic integration into apparel.

Ruiz graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from UTRGV in 2018.

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