Rachel Ruff

Rachel Ruff is a Research & Communication Fellow at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, where she works to amplify research and support strategic communication efforts. She collaborates closely with Center initiatives such as the Inequality Studies minor and the Hank and Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Research Institute, helping to increase visibility and engagement for programs that foster student success.

Rachel graduated from Fayetteville State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Creative & Professional Writing. A third-generation HBCU graduate and former student leader, she is deeply committed to understanding the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in cultivating civic engagement and developing future leaders. Her research interests include higher education leadership, equity in educational policy, Black political thought, and the intersections of history, literature, and social movements.