Even over a Zoom call subjected to the deficiencies of a spotty Wi-Fi connection in a back office in Detroit, MI, Tyler Ruvolo’s voice comes through clear and determined. A McIntire student recognized for his communication skills as well as for his concern for others, Ruvolo is a curious learner who likes to find connections between the theoretical and the concrete. It has informed his experience at the University thus far.
“What attracted me to UVA was the beautiful landscape on Grounds, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Shenandoah Valley,” the Long Island, NY, native says about his adopted, four-year Southern home. But beyond the breathtaking nature of the area, practical matters such as the Echols Scholars Program and what it offered spoke to him, as it gave Ruvolo the freedom to explore his academic passions and allowed him to dive deep into his interests from the outset.
At McIntire, he has found many ways to bridge his love for theoretical knowledge with the practical skills needed to apply it. “I really enjoy the theory side. I love teaching Economics,” he says of the two discussion sections of Macroeconomics he leads as a teaching fellow in the College of Arts & Sciences. “I love researching historiography and things that are not immediately applicable—and might never be applicable—to everyday life,” he explains. “McIntire provided an opportunity to get grounded in reality and to really accumulate the kind of hard skills that I needed to make all that learning and thinking about theory useful.”
Initially, Ruvolo didn’t see himself as a business enthusiast. “I really enjoyed finance, but I came in very sheltered. I didn’t really put two and two together” that finance fits into the wider Commerce School, he admits. He soon saw the interconnectedness of the subject within broader business processes, enhancing his understanding and fueling his interests. Today, he’s maintaining a multidisciplinary approach, concentrating in Finance and IT, with a dual degree in Economics and a minor in History.
One course at the Comm School that particularly resonated with him was Organizational Behavior. “I had Professor Yu Tse Heng for that class, and I really enjoyed the psychology, building teams, and the behavioral economics side of it. It really made everything come together,” he says. The course underscored the importance of remaining people-focused in enterprises and the critical role of effective communication. “You can do everything else right. But if you’re not coordinating and you’re not communicating, you’re not being very thoughtful and very deliberate; you won’t achieve anything.”
Ruvolo’s dedication to communication was recognized when he was named a Joseph Miniotas Communication Scholar for his exceptional skills in the classroom. He attributes the accolade to two key factors: active class participation and an honest, intense interest in the theoretical aspects of communication. Exhibiting the former aspect made him a key contributor to group conversations.
“By the end of week one, I built up the confidence that if I had a thought, I would share it,” he recalls. His meticulous attention to detail in writing and his fondness for thoughtful debate set him apart. “I have a lot of interest in the underlying theory and the linguistics of communication. Being able to interrogate what you write is applicable every day.”
This passion for detail extends beyond the classroom. As a House Manager in Old Cabell Hall, Ruvolo finds a unique satisfaction in precise operations. He takes pride in ensuring that the proper procedures are followed to not only ensure events are successful but that everyone remains safe in the historic building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He muses that after two years working there, he can visualize every square foot of the building.
That draw toward digging deep on a topic and hashing out an issue with others offers some explanation for Ruvolo’s involvement in various activities on Grounds, from supporting the research in history to his role as a resident adviser, which emphasizes his belief in the power of care and connection. It’s a virtue he keeps in mind in teaching as well: “I show my students every way I can that I care about them and I want them to be successful. [And as an RA] I can listen to their problems, I can share what I think about them, and I can empower them to reach for something better,” he says.
As an intern last summer at Ernst & Young, Ruvolo had his first taste of consulting, a role he found to be both challenging and fulfilling. “It’s very similar to being in college because you’re constantly learning new things and applying them. You’re working under due dates. You’re surrounded by people who are of similar age, who have all gone to similar colleges but nonetheless bringing unique perspectives,” he says. The dynamic nature and responsibilities of the position align well with his aspirations for continual growth and learning.
Looking ahead, Ruvolo is enthusiastic about the possibilities his diverse skill set and experiences may bring his way. As he prepares for his professional life with an analytical yet empathetic mindset, any organization in his future stands to benefit from what he offers as a dedicated communicator ready to continue learning and leading.
