Rachel Weeks

As the Department Coordinator in the Civic (Community) Engagement Center since 2018, Rachel has enjoyed working with and supporting students as they meaningfully engage the Twin Cities and navigate the U.S. electoral system. She brings the lens of a first-gen, low-income college graduate to all aspects of her work, and particularly enjoys connecting with, and supporting, the Bonner Community Scholars.

As an elected representative of academic staff and Chair of the Staff Advisory Council, Rachel advocated for worker-led positive change, fair wages, and meaningful shared governance from September of 2022 through December of 2024. These efforts directly led to the change of Mac’s paid parental leave policy on January 17, 2024. (Prior to the policy change, staff were allowed 6 weeks of paid parental leave, and needed to be at the college for two years to access the benefit as opposed to faculty who were given 12 weeks immediately upon hire.) In addition to her dear ones, reading, gardening, and travel, Rachel is energized by the power of collective action, solidarity, and the sentient wisdom of plants. Prior to Macalester College, he worked in the food industry as a CPG marketing specialist, non-profit administrator, and award-winning college journalist.