Ruth Levenkron

Director of Global Engagement

Ruth Levenkron serves as the Director for the Office for Global Engagement (Global) at the University of Rochester. In this role, she acts as the primary advisor and chief of staff to the Vice Provost for Global Engagement and is responsible for coordinating staff, day-to-day office administration, and operations. More specifically, her tasks include managing and maintaining tabs on a diverse array of high-level projects, tracking progress, and ensuring alignment with the University’s global engagement priorities.

Ruth facilitates collaboration within sub-teams around these key priorities, ensuring awareness and clarity across units and helping to uncover synergies between them. She brings a strategic lens to projects, actively engaging in issue-spotting, raising awareness of possible obstacles, and proactively working to address them. She also plays a pivotal role in pinpointing emerging opportunities within the University’s global framework, providing high-level support in driving strategic initiatives. Overall, her role is more facilitative than managerial, as she focuses on helping teams collaborate effectively and stay aligned with global engagement goals.

Previously, Ruth worked for an international development contracting firm in Washington, D.C., where she supported multi-million dollar projects funded by the U.S. government. These projects were aimed at economic development and political stability across Asia. Ruth’s extensive international experience includes studying and working abroad. She has also contributed to refugee assistance efforts in New York City through an international aid organization and worked for a non-governmental organization in South Africa. Ruth holds a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College and an M.A. in Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University.