The accolade recognizes her outstanding achievements in education as well as her impact on the community and the lives of students, most notably through leading the QU/ConnCORP Adult Entrepreneurship Academy.

"I am truly honored to have received this award from the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce for the program we have built to train and support minority, veteran, women and adult entrepreneurs in the Greater New Haven area,” Rua said. “The success of the program is a tremendous team effort.”

Rua thanked partners such as ConnCORP’s Erik Clemons, Carlton Highsmith and Jahkeeva Morgan for their support, as well as Quinnipiac faculty, students and staff, including Provost Debra Liebowitz and Holly Raider, dean of the School of Business.

"Dr. Rua is exemplary in her commitment and impact in improving the lives of our community while also ensuring a positive impact on our region’s economic development,” Dean Raider said. “It is terrific that the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce has recognized Dr. Rua with the inaugural Excellence in Education award."

Both Raider and Rua said the fact that Brett Amendola, a Quinnipiac alumnus and Board of Trustees member, presented the award to Rua made the honor even more special.

Rua serves as co-director of Quinnipiac’s M&T Bank Center for Women and Business.

Since joining Quinnipiac in 2019, Rua has taught courses in management, decision-making and leadership. Her research is particularly notable for its emphasis on decision-making processes in negotiations, groups and ethics across diverse cultures. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, where she shares her insights on moral identity, self-control and ethical behavior.

The Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce represents the business communities of Wallingford, North Haven and surrounding towns.