12 News anchor Vanessa Ruiz leaves station for job at ASU’s journalism school
Jun 5, 2017, 12:49 PM | Updated: 8:42 pm
(Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Photo)
(Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Photo)
PHOENIX — Another familiar face is leaving the Valley’s airwaves: 12 News anchor Vanessa Ruiz has left her job to accept a role at Arizona State University’s journalism school.
According to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Ruiz will step in as the director of the school’s coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border.
“[Ruiz] is a fantastic, fully bilingual journalist who is passionate about teaching and growing the next generation of great journalists,” Dean Christopher Callahan said. “She will inspire our students and serve as a role model.”
Ruiz will also lead a new Spanish-language broadcast, Cronkite Noticias, and work on special projects with Arizona PBS.
“I look forward to helping aspiring English- and Spanish-language journalists propel our profession forward,” she said in a press release. “At the same time, Arizona PBS will give me the opportunity to continue to practice the craft I love.”
Ruiz began her career in Miami, where she worked for Telemundo. She was recognized for her work covering both the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and the Venezuela elections.
Ruiz was hired by KNBC 4 in Los Angeles in 2014. She made the move to 12 News in 2015.
She is scheduled to begin her new job on Aug. 1.
Another Valley news personality, longtime weatherman Dave Munsey, retired from Fox 10 last week after 42 years on the air.
