Ruth Watkins

President, Postsecondary Education

Strada Education Foundation

Ruth V. Watkins is Strada’s president of postsecondary education, where she leads Strada Education Foundation’s collaboration with postsecondary education institutions and nonprofit organizations to help advance an ecosystem that provides more equitable pathways to prosperity for more people. Before joining Strada in 2021, Watkins built a strong reputation for supporting student success as the 16th president of the University of Utah. In that role, she increased degree completion rates and research funding, established innovative student funding models, and built strong partnerships with community stakeholders. Uniting the campus as “One U,” Watkins and her team drove innovation in research, education, and operational efficiency, and addressed major societal challenges, including in mental health and interpersonal violence.