Levi Shanks, Ph.D.

Levi Shanks is an experienced higher education leader dedicated to advancing student success through the integration of academic and student affairs. As Assistant Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at a national higher education association, he supports institutional leaders in strengthening student outcomes, faculty engagement, and career readiness. His work spans policy development, institutional strategy, and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the student experience and bridging the gap between education and workforce demands.

Levi is also actively involved in research and grant-funded projects, particularly in undergraduate STEM education reform. His scholarship explores the role of inter-university networks in shaping institutional change, with a focus on how social connections and collaborative frameworks drive innovation. His doctoral research examined how networks form, evolve, and influence broader STEM education reform efforts.

Before shifting to national-level work, Levi spent years as a student affairs practitioner, holding roles in student conduct, residence life, leadership development, and assessment, and served in adjunct appointments at the University of California, Berkeley, Michigan State University, and Dominican University of California. He has led institutional initiatives in crisis response, co-curricular learning, and student support, as well as fostering cross-campus collaborations to enhance student engagement and retention.

Levi holds a Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University, an M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia, and dual B.S. degrees in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Louisville.