Jennifer Ruskin

Jennifer is Academic Director for Work-integrated Learning (WIL) and Employability at Macquarie Business School. She brings to the role her experience co-founding Macquarie University’s Co-op program and her drive to help students find their passion through practical learning experiences. She led the business school’s consultative process for developing an employability strategy and minimum standards for WIL, career development learning and employability in all courses. She is now working with Associate Deans, Course Directors and teaching staff to align offerings with these standards.

Jennifer is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) and completed her PhD exploring the motives of social entrepreneurs. She is passionate about teaching, experiential learning and helping students develop agency to navigate fulfilling and purposeful careers. Her recent research projects include co-creating curriculum with students and workplace partners, evaluating student outcomes from these curricula, and developing a framework for quality WIL that accounts for factors internal and external to the institution.

Jennifer sits on the editorial review board for the International Journal of Work-integrated Learning (IJWIL) and chairs the events subcommittee of the Australian Collaborative Education Network’s (ACEN) professional learning committee.

Prior to academia, Jennifer worked for Women’s Economic Ventures, Save the Children USA and Frost & Sullivan. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Haiti, Jennifer consulted with cooperative credit unions and supported community health education. Jennifer completed a BA at the University of Michigan and an MSc at the London School of Economics.

Teaching

• Introduction to Professional Practice
• Enhancing Employability Skills