Bridgewater, NJ — Former Wagner track and field athlete Ruth-Ann Chambers has been nominated for the NCAA's 2025 Woman of the Year Award by the Northeast Conference.
A four-year Seahawk who helped lead the women's track and field team to the program's first ever indoor and outdoor championships while excelling individually, Chambers has been nominated for the 35th NCAA Woman of the Year award, which honors graduating female college athletes who have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.
In the field of competition, Chambers won the NEC's Most Outstanding Track Performer (Sprints) for indoor season in 2023, 2024 and 2025, then won the same honor for the outdoor slate in 2025 and 2025. Her career as a Seahawk culminated with earning the NEC Most Valuable Performer award in both indoor and outdoor season for her senior year.
Finishing her highly-decorated career winning that highest honor twice, Chambers also holds 15 gold medals and 22 total, in addition to 10 school records. She rounded out her collegiate career at the NCAA's East Regional, where she competed in the 400m hurdles.
"Track and field has been more than a sport for me; it's been a space of growth and empowerment," said Chambers. "I've broken multiple school records, earned MVP and conference honors and served as team captain. While these achievements mean a lot, the most important lessons have come from leading my teammates, staying motivated through setbacks and showing up for others with consistency and care."
A star in the classroom as well as on the track, Chambers maintained a 3.50 undergraduate GPA as a Sociology major with double minors in Biology and Spanish. Earning multiple Dean's List and NEC Academic Honor Roll nods, the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honors Society member was the recipient of the 2024 Eduardo Chirinos Spanish Award for outstanding work in Spanish language and literature and the International Award for exemplary academic achievement.
Outside the classroom, Chambers was also Vice President of the Black Student Union, DEIA Senator for Student Government Association and Student Assistant at the Center for Intercultural Advancement — she worked to promote inclusion on campus in her various roles.
"Each of these roles have helped me grow, not just as an individual, but as someone dedicated to making a difference," said Chambers. "Whether I am competing on the track, researching social issues or building community, I aim to lead with purpose and use my platform to inspire change and represent those who are often overlooked."
Chambers also volunteered with the Jamaica Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and served as a volunteer for the New York Road Runners as well as the Dupont Primary School and Balmagie Methodist Basic School.
One of the most prestigious NCAA awards, the Woman of the Year Award was established in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Each nominee will be submitted to a nominating committee, which will then choose the top 10 honorees in each division.
Of those 30 selections, the committee will then determine three finalists for each division. The members of the Committee on Women's Athletics will choose between the nine finalists to determine the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year. The top 30 honorees and the committee's selection will be announced oater in the fall.
