Alya Ruiz

Alya Ruiz (she/her/hers)
Program: Master of International Affairs 
Concertation: International Security and Diplomacy 
Minor: Political Development and Governance 
Hometown: Benicia, California, USA

Alya Ruiz is an MIA candidate at Columbia SIPA, concentrating in International Security and Diplomacy with a minor in Political Development and Governance. She graduated cum laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a B.A. in Global Studies and a concentration in the Middle East.

Prior to SIPA, Alya supported refugee populations in West Asia and Eastern Europe; assisted disaster relief efforts in the Caribbean; and worked in lobbying, congressional affairs, and presidential campaign strategy. Previously, she facilitated bipartisan federal economic policy reforms and supported a tech nonprofit to increase resources for marginalized groups. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, she received a USAID grant to advance rural women’s economic empowerment.

Most recently, Alya worked with the U.S. Department of State on a UN Security Council-authorized mission, supporting diplomatic engagement to facilitate troop deployments and strengthen regional investment in security infrastructure. Alya is currently a fellow at the NYC Emergency Management Government Relations Unit where she provides legislative and research assistance. At Columbia, she is a Student Scholar with the Institute of Global Politics, Co-Chair of the SIPA Student Association (SIPASA) Student Life and Social Committee, and a Course Assistant for the Executive MPA Program. 

Alya's policy interests include conflict mitigation, humanitarian crisis management, and post-conflict political development. As a Foreign Affairs Fellow with the U.S. Department of State, she will join the Foreign Service upon graduating from SIPA. Alya looks forward to connecting with prospective students and providing insight into the opportunities here at SIPA!