After Vanessa Ruffin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Studios Arts from Seton Hill in 1974, she returned to her hometown of Washington, DC where she began a career working with individuals with special needs, continued her expression through art and has worked to make her community better.

Vanessa served as a Therapeutic Recreational Specialist with the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, serving individuals with various specialized needs and disabilities. She was awarded the prestigious District of Columbia Distinguished Employee of Outstanding Performance Award in 1989. While working in the District Government, Vanessa never lost her love for art and continued with her painting, metal-smithing and exquisite jewelry creations.

In 1994, she retired from the District of Columbia but immediately involved herself with community service and activism. She worked on efforts to combat the drug epidemic, gun violence and crime and served as a member of the DC Economic Development and Zoning Committee for Ward 6, developing bills that would improve public safety, zoning and affordable housing. She served simultaneously as an active member of the Near Northeast Citizens against Crime and Drugs, Wiley Street Neighbors for Safety, Orange Hat Community Patrols and the DC Community Action Committee.

As a dual resident of Maryland and DC, Vanessa currently serves on the DC Board of Licensing for Professional Counseling. She continues to work as a multi-disciplinary artist under the name “VanRuff,” where her focus is on metal-smithing, photography and painting, and she has hosted several exhibits over the years.

Vanessa credits the education she received at Seton Hill for her lifelong achievements, development and success.

“The three required courses of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at Seton Hill have become much more for me: these three empowered me with new understandings and acceptance of many things. They have guided me through my adult life as crucial decision-making variables in my personal life and professional career as well as my community activism,” Vanessa said.