Luis Ruiz Lopez

 I’m a senior at Metropolitan State University majoring in Psychology, with a strong interest in thanatology and child/family dynamics. Originally from the garlic capital of the world (Gilroy, California), I was raised in a Mexican-American household by women who taught me the importance of empathy, creative expression, and emotional honesty.

Alongside my academic interests, I’m deeply drawn to storytelling, music, and acting as powerful tools for healing and connection. I believe these expressive modalities can help people reconnect with their emotions, especially during grief or major life transitions. Creativity as a way to explore who I am, and who I want to become has been a never ending journey. I’m especially interested in how we process the kinds of life changes that aren’t always tangible—feelings of loss, identity shifts, or internal transformations that don’t have clear names but still shape who we are. Let's meet those moments with empathy and curiosity, and with passion about supporting others in doing the same: envisioning a better version of themselves and finding meaningful, attainable goals that help them move toward it.

I speak both English and Spanish, and care deeply about creating safe, culturally sensitive spaces for people to feel seen and supported. Whether through words, rhythm, or quiet listening, I hope to offer presence, curiosity, and care to every person I encounter in this space.