USD College Alumni Take on Hollywood

Two University of San Diego graduates, Karissa Valencia '13 and Jared Ruga '11 are making their mark in the entertainment industry. Karissa was nominated for an Annie Award for her Netflix series Spirit Rangers, which centers on Indigenous characters. Jared, as the founder and CEO of Vavani Productions, creates social justice-focused documentaries and films, and won a Daytime Emmy for His 2018 documentary Quiet Heroes. Their USD education played a vital role in shaping their careers, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and storytelling. They encourage students to explore various interests and keep an open mind about their education and career paths.