Exploring Minority Experiences
Exploring Minority Experiences
An Assistant Professor's Journey in Volunteering and Integration
I am Anne Stefanie Ruiz Sportmann, an Assistant Professor in Clemson University’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. I publish and teach under the name A. Stefanie Ruiz. My research focuses on exploring minority experiences in majority spaces and understanding how these experiences shape social identity and integration.
I conduct research on nonprofit organizations and volunteerism, with a particular emphasis on immigrant volunteering and its impact on the integration of immigrants into host-country societies.
Before earning my PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, I pursued a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University and a Bachelor's degree in International Business from the ESB Business School. Throughout my life, I have had the pleasure of living in five different countries and am fluent in Spanish, German and English.
I was born and raised in a small coffee farming town in Panama, Central America. When I was ten years old, I moved to Germany, where I completed my high school education in German. During my Bachelor’s degree, I had the opportunity to spend nine months in South Korea for an exchange semester, where I also interned at the United Nations. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for the study and implementation of social alleviation strategies.
Motivated by this passion, I relocated to Jerusalem to pursue my Master's degree. There, I had the privilege of working with a local trauma-informed nonprofit organization that catered to Jewish, Arab, and Palestinian populations. My experiences in Jerusalem further fueled my interest in academia, leading me to the United States, where I obtained my PhD in Social Welfare for my research efforts on immigrant volunteering and integration.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I am happily married to my husband Nahshon Garrett, who is a professional athlete. We share a love for travel and exploration.
In my leisure time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and engaging in various workouts to stay active.
