Katherine Ruger, Ed.D.

Dr. Katherine Marie Ruger is a Strategic Advisor for Leadership & Health Sciences Strategy and an Associate Professor. An executive leader in academic medicine and leadership development, she designs and leads enterprise-level initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, develop leadership capacity, and support institutional transformation.

In her current role, Dr. Ruger leads leadership development initiatives, advises senior leaders on strategic priorities, and supports cross-college collaboration, including Michigan State University's One Team, One Health transformation.

Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Ruger served in several senior leadership roles at MSUCOM, including Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Executive Chief of Staff and Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. Throughout her career, she has led strategic planning, organizational transformation, enrollment management, and institutional change initiatives that have strengthened organizational effectiveness and advanced the college's mission.

Dr. Ruger is an active scholar and national presenter whose work focuses on leadership development, organizational culture, strategic enrollment management, and change leadership. She holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, a master's degree in Counselor Education from Wayne State University, and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Northwood University.