Araceli Cruz ’09, Linfield’s associate director of financial aid, earned recognition this year from the Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators for her contributions to the profession.
Cruz received the association’s Distinguished Service Award in February, in honor of her efforts to advance equity, diversity and inclusion.
Cruz’s seven years as a financial aid administrator have been marked by a focus on breaking down barriers for historically marginalized students to access and thrive in higher education.
Equity, diversity and inclusion “is not glamorous work, but it’s critical in order to better serve the rapidly changing population of students in Oregon,” she said.
In addition to chairing OASFAA’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Cruz also has served on the boards of the Portland Leadership Foundation, the Oregon College Access Network and the Northwest Association of Student Affairs Professionals.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in sociology and Spanish as a first-generation student at Linfield, she went on to earn a master’s degree in student affairs administration from the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling.
“I understand that financial aid is a crucial component for a student to have a successful college career,” she said. “As a first-generation student myself, I understand that students and families in my community need the appropriate tools to reaffirm their identity, backgrounds, and self-worth; I want to help them achieve that through higher education.”
– Jillian Martin
