Jacksonville University Master of Business Administration student Taylor Ruiz has
been elected to the board of directors for The Honor Society of Phi 
Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines.
As the graduate student representative on the Society’s board, Ruiz will serve a two-year term from 2024 to 2026. In this role, she will represent student membership of Phi Kappa Phi while supporting the 127 year-old Society’s goals and mission.
A JU alumna, Ruiz earned her bachelor’s in business administration with a triple major in finance, management, and marketing. She is currently pursuing her MBA through the Jacksonville University’s Grad2Grad program.
Ruiz has been recognized as a Top 25 student in the Davis College of Business and Technology. The Green Key Honor Society honoree has been involved in leadership programs such as the Dean’s Fellow Program, the Zimmerman Scholars Program and the Panhellenic Council.
Dr. James Mirabella, professor of decision science and information management at Jacksonville
University and divisional vice president of Phi Kappa Phi, described Taylor’s election
as “truly monumental.”
“Being a young student who was elected to represent all graduate students nationally
in the nation’s oldest honor society has got to be overwhelming for her to take in,”
said Dr. Mirabella. “She is one of our shining stars in the Davis College, and I know
her future will be very bright, with this laying the groundwork for what is to come.”
Dr. Mirabella added that her election expands JU’s representation on the board, a
nod to the university’s increasing prestige and caliber of students. “As for Jacksonville
University, we now have the largest representation ever seen on the board of directors,
with 3 of the 16 members being connected to our university; considering we are one
of the smaller universities, we will be seen more visibly now at a national level.
Having one of the two student representatives from JU’s Davis College reflects on
us as a university and business college very positively, as she reflects the leaders
we help to shape.”
Ruiz currently serves as the academic success coordinator for the Davis College and
an intern for club operations at Ocean Casino Resort. Her philanthropic pursuits keep
her actively involved with Pink Ribbon Jax and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Ruiz was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2024 and currently serves as a student vice president for JU’s chapter.
