Ryan Kirksey began working at Rice in 2003, first as the Events Manager at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. He spent his first 13 years at Rice working in various administrative roles at the Baker Institute, eventually becoming the Director of Operations and Finance in 2011. In that role, he was responsible for the administrative operations of the Institute, including human resources, finance, events, publications, and information technology. 

After 18 months in industry, Ryan came back to Rice University in 2017 as the Senior Assistant to the President under David Leebron. In that role, he handled matters of procedure, policy, and institutional importance on behalf of the President including special projects, executive searches, communication, presentations, and strategic initiatives. 

He was asked to assist with administrative restructuring and transition for incoming president Reggie DesRoches, and then in 2022, assumed a new role as Chief of Staff.

Ryan is a 2013 graduate of the Jones Graduate School of Business Professional MBA program where he was a recipient of the Gilbert Whitaker Scholarship and Jones Citizen Award. Originally from Houston, Ryan and his wife Allison have two children, Jordan and Jackson, and a Shih-Tzu named Rigby.