Ruth Shoemaker Wood brings scholarly training and hands-on experience to her understanding of the higher education landscape. Prior to entering the executive search sector, she served as Assistant Dean of Students at New York University’s College of Arts and Science. Before her role in the Dean’s Office at NYU, Ruth worked as a consultant to educational institutions experiencing organizational change and strategic planning challenges.
Ruth also served as a Career Counselor at the University of Pennsylvania where she worked with undergraduates and developed a deep commitment to student advising.
Ruth’s scholarly research centers around the college presidency and cultural change at small liberal arts institutions. Her first book, Transforming Campus Culture: Frank Aydelotte’s Honors Experiment at Swarthmore College, was published in 2012 by the University of Delaware Press.
Ruth has enjoyed teaching in the Higher Education graduate programs at NYU, Penn, CUNY, and Rider University where she has developed courses including The College Presidency, Leadership in Higher Education, Research Methods, Campus Environments, History of American Colleges and Universities, Small Liberal Arts Colleges, and Student Affairs Administration, among others.
In addition, Ruth has served on the boards of Swarthmore College and the Humanity in Action fellowship program.
Education
Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, Policy, Management, and Evaluation (Higher Education)
Ed.M. Harvard University, Administration, Planning, and Social Policy (Higher Education)
B.A. Swarthmore College, English, Education, and German, High Honors