Rachel Brichta

Rachel Brichta is Chief Administrator for the International Institute. In this role, she is responsible for long-range planning, strategic operations, financial management,  and human resources for the institute and its 17 centers and programs. 

Previously, Rachel was communications & special projects manager at the International Institute, primarily supporting the Center for European Studies; Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies; Copernicus Center for Polish Studies; Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies; and Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia. She also served as interim manager of several units in the International Institute including the Weiser Centers, Academic Services, and the Asia Centers. Rachel has a stong background in change management, project management, and program development.

Rachel holds a B.A. in Russian and East European Studies from U-M and an M.A. in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her M.A. thesis explored democratization efforts in Belarus. Rachel joined the U-M staff in 2005, before which she held positions with American Councils for International Education, the Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies, Youth for Understanding International Exchange, and Toledo Sister Cities International.