Couple’s dedication, devotion and long hours pay off in dual diplomas

When Justin Garza and Zachariah Ruff walk across the stage to receive their respective master’s degrees at the Colorado Convention Center, they will be looking out among the sea of blue caps and gowns for each other.

“It’s going to be really special for us to enjoy this final University experience together because MSU Denver has been such a recurring influence in both our professional journeys,” Garza said. “For years now, it has provided us with innumerable opportunities to grow together.”

After two years of classes and many study hours, Garza has earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Management. And when his husband, Ruff, steps up to receive a Master of Professional Accountancy, it will mark the culmination of a 14-year relationship with the University.

The couple have an impressive history with MSU Denver. Both men earned undergraduate degrees at the University. Each also worked as student employees, building out their professional skills and resumes. So, when it came to deciding where to pursue postgraduate studies, there was really only one choice.

Great education

Ruff originally enrolled at MSU Denver in 2011 and completed an Accountancy degree. When he met Garza in 2017 and discovered that the veteran was contemplating his next education move, Ruff knew just the place to suggest.

“Following Zach’s suggestion, I went on a tour of the Auraria Campus and was intrigued by all the resources available to veteran students,” Garza said. “I’d been looking for a school with a sense of community that would also provide a great education, and this seemed to fit the bill.”

Garza enrolled in the Individualized Degree Program and graduated with a degree in Ethics and Compliance Leadership in 2019.

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One highlight for both men during their first undergraduate experiences at MSU Denver was finding meaningful work as student employees.

“Although we attended at different times, each of us found great career opportunities — me in the Office of the Controller, Justin with the President’s Office — that really helped jumpstart our professional careers,” Ruff said.

“What strikes me now is how our respective employment managers on campus always allowed us to prioritize our education,” Garza added. “We are still incredibly grateful for that.”

After graduating, Ruff parlayed his University experience into full-time employment at MSU Denver. Over four years, he climbed the campus career ladder and ultimately served as manager of Accounting Services before moving on to new opportunities in the corporate sector.

“For both of us,” Ruff said, “working at the University meant we were able to learn so much about ourselves, as well as about the higher education system.”

Flexible options

Both men have plenty of positive memories of their time at MSU Denver. But if they were recommending the college to someone now, what would be the first thing they’d mention?

“Personally, I love how the University upholds its mission to provide an affordable education for nontraditional students,” Garza said. “As first-generation students, that really counted for us.”

For Ruff, having a manageable class schedule has been key — and became especially useful in graduate school.

“We really appreciated how the class options gave us the flexibility to work full time while studying for our degrees,” he said. “Having that extra freedom and wiggle room meant we were still able to continue earning and support each other.”

No doubt it’ll feel good for the couple to finally collect those master’s diplomas, but the real prize will be how the new qualifications will benefit their careers.

“Zach’s degree will give him the required credit hours to obtain his CPA license, which is awesome,” Garza said. “And the master’s will help further my career, hopefully providing me with opportunities to become more involved with nonprofits and community-focused initiatives,” he said.

“The fact that we’ve squeezed in all this extra work — late-night study sessions, practicing presentations, emotionally supporting each other — while still holding down full-time jobs, feels like a real accomplishment,” Garza said.

“Apart from anything else, finally walking across that stage next month will be an acknowledgement that all those late nights and countless study hours paid off,” Ruff added.

“And one thing’s for sure: It will be so much more satisfying doing it together.”

Learn more about Masters of Business Administration programs at MSU Denver.