ATP All-Stars: Get to know Ryan Leavitt

Photograph of Ryan Leavitt
Ryan Leavitt

While you get up to speed on the Workday implementation across the UW system, take some time to get to know the Administrative Transformation Program all-star team members who make our work possible. This month, we’re sitting down for a Q&A with Ryan Leavitt, an information security analyst on the ATP Security Team.

What’s your hometown?
New Holstein, WI

How long have you worked in the UW system, where, and in what roles?
I have worked for the Universities of Wisconsin for 18 years. I started in the security authorizations office, worked to improve paper processes, and participated in the Administrative Process Redesign (APR) initiative. I had to name-drop this, in case anyone remembers!

I have been involved with PeopleSoft security for Student Information System, Human Resource System, and Oracle Identity Manager (OIM), and provided backup support for Shared Financial System. Additionally, I have been involved with several PeopleSoft upgrades. I aided in requirements gathering for the first OIM tool and was part of the OIM upgrades and transition from OIM to GT eForms within PeopleSoft. I have done several security brown bags on password management over the years and helped create and refine the security awareness training used at DoIT and HRS.

What’s your role and team on ATP?
I work as an information security analyst for the Security Team. My job entails making process improvements (standards and best practices), conducting security reviews/builds, and researching password distribution for integration accounts. I also conduct regular reviews of builds and assist our functional teams in identifying and resolving issues.

Why did you want to work for ATP?
I have been involved with several implementations and major upgrades, and I enjoy the challenges that come with them. Given my history with UW security — particularly in ERP support — the knowledge and relationships I have built over the years are a great benefit to the project. I saw this as a great opportunity to collaborate with a new team of highly dedicated professionals and drive positive change for the Universities of Wisconsin.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I have been collecting vinyl records off and on since the mid-‘90s. Over the past 25 years, I have owned at least two motorcycles at any given time, although sometimes only one of them is in working condition (current situation). A previous coworker would get great amusement out of my four non-running vintage motorcycles as I would discuss the potential of buying another.

Want to contribute your talents to this important program? Check out all ATP job openings.