A variable stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine including an actuation ring including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, and at least one recess that is defined between the upper surface, the lower surface, the first side, and the second side, a plurality of variable stator vanes, and a lever arm assembly coupled between the actuation ring and at least one of the variable stator vanes, the lever arm assembly including an articulating block inserted at least partially into the actuation ring recess such that the articulating block is movable in a first axis; and a lever arm coupled to the articulating block and at least one of the variable stator vanes such that the lever arm is movable in a second axis that is different than the first axis.