Ruth Janisch

Throughout her career, Ruth’s professional evolution has been rooted in anti-racist community engagement, place-based pedagogies and social change at the University Y, University of Minnesota, and Macalester College since 2002. She currently serves in a dual role in both the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship and Community Engagement Center.

As part of the leadership team within the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citzenship (KAIGC) Dean’s Office, Ruth represents the KAIGC within various initiatives both on and off campus, providing structural continuity as administrative back-up for KAIGC Dean as needed in addition to providing overall administrative oversight of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.

Ruth also provides institutional vision and overall leadership for community engagement at Macalester in partnership with associate dean & co-director, Sedric McClure. Her particular areas of speciality and/or interest include off campus federal work-study; structural support for first-generation college students; cohort development; long-term reciprocal relationship building; and management of immersive learning programs.

Within the Community Engagement Center (CEC) Ruth’s responsibilities include:

• Supervision of professional staff responsible for supporting faculty in academic community engagement and who facilitate high impact student learning opportunities through several cohort programs.
• Budget management, including departmental operating budget, designated and endowed funds, and various grants.
• Providing overall direction to the Bonner Program, with particular emphasis on campus infrastructure and the support & retention of first-generation Macalester students in addition to serving as primary instructor for EDUC225 J-term course focused on Education, Community and Cultural Survival in New Orleans. 
• Leading Macalester’s engagement with several institutional consortial relationships housed within the CEC, including National Campus Compact, Imagining America, and Project Pericles.

Apart from her professional interests, Ruth enjoys learning everything she can about her chosen future home in New Orleans, traveling in the polar arctic, in addition to attempting to keep up with her partner, 3 kiddos & beloved rescue French Bulldog.