1. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D.
5385 Toscana Way, #336 cell: (410) 409-6458
San Diego, CA 92122 email: loriwilliamsphd@gmail.com
Highlights of Qualifications
• Senior executive experience as provost, vice provost, and head of assessment.
• Diverse experience educating and training students, including academic support, library,
academic technology, student support services, disability services, educational technology,
instructional design, adult development, teaching English as a Second Language, and
retention and graduation efforts.
• From 2014 to early 2016, oversaw successful development of new undergraduate programs
in nursing and engineering and masters programs in psychology, accounting, criminal
justice, early childhood education leadership, special education, information systems
management, public health, instructional design technology, systems engineering,
curriculum and instruction, health informatics, and finance.
• Successfully managed academic budget of over $80 million.
• Accreditation liaison officer and regional accreditation reviewer. Led successful WSCUC
accreditation site visit.
• Passion for providing high quality and innovative learning and support experiences for
students, especially those considered non-traditional.
• Focus on research and evidence-based decisions leading to learning achievement
improvements.
• Strong experience in faculty governance and leadership,
• Successes in team development, program development, and management resulted in
curriculum and program improvement including student learning outcomes achievement
and retention in higher education.
Education
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Studies, Concentration: Educational Leadership, Union Institute &
University, Cincinnati, OH, 2008
Dissertation – Mentoring Online Adult Undergraduate Learners
M.A. in TESOL, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT, 1997
Master's Thesis - The Use of the Historical Present in Narrative Description
B.A. in Political Science, Spanish minor, 1987
Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ
Leadership Experience
Provost, October 2013 – May 2016
Ashford University, San Diego, CA
Led the academic division of the university of 50,000 students and 3,000 faculty including the
Forbes School of Business and the Colleges of Education; Liberal Arts; and Health, Human Services
2. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 3
and Science to improve student success and academic quality in online programs for adults, as well
as campus-based programs for traditional aged students. Oversaw design and implementation of
academic plan for the university, advanced the academic mission, and continually improved the
quality of the academic experience for students. Supervised more than 3000 faculty and staff and
managed a budget of over $80 million. Served as Accreditation Liaison Officer.
Vice Provost, Curriculum Development & Innovation, 2011-2013
Kaplan University, Chicago, IL
Led centralized team of over 70 staff members who develop and revise online and blended courses
for over 38,000 students. Supervised program design, course development and instructional design
staff. Responsible for development of all academic programs. Worked collaboratively with Vice
Presidents for online and campus-based programs. Responsible for innovations in technology for
classroom-based and online courses leading to improved learning outcomes and retention.
Leadership responsibility for faculty governance including Faculty Curriculum Committee and
Assessment Advisory Committee as well as Head of University Assessement leading annual
university assessment plan and report.
Executive Director, Center for Student Success, 2008-2011
Walden University, Laureate Online Education, Minneapolis, MN
Led team of directors of student support services for Walden, an online university serving 40,000
domestic and international students. Oversaw Academic Residencies, Career Services, Writing
Center, Walden Library, Student Support Courses, and Academic Integrity & Student Affairs.
Responsible for $14 million budget. Within two years, doubled staff; expanded Library to pull back
in-house previously outsourced reference library services; improved student retention through
expanded academic support services; and oversaw reorganization of residencies team to provide
better operational and academic services. Implemented standard tracking and analysis of key
performance indicators to evaluate service level agreements compliance and to ensure adequate
resources for meeting student needs.
Vice President, Product Strategy & Development, 2007-2008
Laureate Online Education, Baltimore, MD
Headed interdisciplinary team responsible for new program research and development for online
programs serving Walden University, University of Liverpool, Kendall College and other partners.
Supervised program design, course development & instructional design staff. Responsible for
creating online General Education programs and selecting top subject matter experts to develop
B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies and other new undergraduate programs.
Executive Director, 2006-2007
eLearning Group, Laureate Online Education, Baltimore, MD
Headed group which developed courses for online programs in management, education,
engineering, human services, and health for Walden University, University of Liverpool, Kendall
College and other partners. Supervised course development & instructional design staff, as well as
editorial and course deployment and logistics teams. Introduced project management methodology
to course development to ensure courses finished on time and on budget.
Director of Instructional Technology, 2002-2006
3. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 4
Union Institute & University, Montpelier, VT
Administered academic computing for faculty and learners in hybrid Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed. and B.A.
degree programs offered from locations in Montpelier, VT; Brattleboro, VT; Cincinnati, OH; Los
Angeles, CA; Sacramento, CA and Miami, FL. Researched, selected and implemented technologies
used in teaching and learning including learning management systems, desktop conferencing, web
development, and software. Directed team that designed and delivered all faculty and learner
technology training. Supervised instructional technology & instructional design staff. Chaired
Effective Online Learning Practices Commitee. Co-chaired Technology Task Force Committee and
Library Advisory Committee. Served on Doctoral Process Committee which revised doctoral
program structure in response to request from Ohio Board of Regents and North Central
Association. Served on Educational Studies Committee with doctoral faculty to develop a new Ed.D.
program. Served on Provost’s Executive Team.
Academic Technology Coordinator, 1998-2002
Library Information Services, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT
As Coordinator of Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC), supervised staff of 25 and developed
and supported the introduction of new technology language learning. Provided technological
instruction for faculty, staff and students and developed website for LLRC as well as College Library
Reference pages for Modern Languages, Linguistics and TESL. Provided technological support for
Education Department, Modern Languages Department, Study Abroad and School of International
Studies (SIS). Liaison for acquisition of academic materials including various media, software and
texts. Collaborated with SIS to develop distance education courses for MATESL for new hybrid
delivery. Served on college Information Technology/Library Information Services Committee.
Administrative & Operations Manager, 1997-1998
Language Schools, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
Supervised staff of 10 and oversaw admissions process for eight Language Schools with enrollment
of over 1000 students. Ensured that policies, procedures, resources and services supported
rigorous and intensive academic language programs. Liaison between faculty and staff and the
related academic and non-academic departments of Middlebury College. Participated in language
program planning and development. Coordinated instructional technology for language courses
between faculty and Information Technology Department. Represented Language Schools to
College's facilities planning, ADA, space, women’s task force and safety committees.
Graduate Assistant & Adjunct Faculty, 1994-1997
School of International Studies, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT
Served as graduate assistant to the School of International Studies under three different
department chairs who led the Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language
progam and the Intensive English Program. Taught as an adjunct and performed administrative
duties to all language faculty.
Selected Professional Service & Special Projects
Research Pipeline, Kaplan University, 2012-2013
4. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 5
Primary sponsor for Kaplan University-wide, large-scale research projects investigating factors that
contribute to student and faculty success in teaching and learning. Over 60 research projects
initiated in 2013 focusing on curricular interventions to produce improvements in learning and
persistence.
MOOCs/Competency-Based Courses, Kaplan University, 2013
Key academic stakeholder in development over twenty Kaplan University MOOCs. Unique modular
design intended to help students focus on gaps in learning to prepare for credit-bearing challenge
exams.
Assessment Transparency, Kaplan University, 2013
As highest ranking university officer with responsibility for assessment, and chair of the
Assessment Advisory Committee, lead a team to design and provide transparency and
accountability for assessment and evaluation at the university. Responsible for collecting and
sharing curriculum maps, assessment plans, assessment resources, learning outcomes statements,
current assessment activities, evidence of student learning, and data about student assessment
achievement.
Accreditation Liaison Officer for Ashford University, Western Association of Schools and
Colleges, Senior College and University Commission, 2013-2016
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Reaffirmation Review Team Member, Reviewed California Lutheran University. 2014-2015
North Central Association, Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps Member. 2013.
Trustee on Board of The Monarch School, K-12 Charter School for Homeless Children, San
Diego, 2015-2016
Appointed to Academic Assembly of the College Board (SAT, AP, CLEP), 2014-2016
Board Member, Downtown San Diego Partnership, 2014-2016
Awards & Honors
Laureate Higher Education Group, Employee of the Year Award Winner, Laureate Online
Education, Baltimore, MD, 2008
Selected Professional Presentations
Pattenaude, R., Williams, L. , Feikema, J. (November, 2015). Five easy pieces: Academic quality as
sustained online institutional strategy for attracting/retaining adult learners. Presented at the
Council on Adult and Experiential Learning Conference. Baltimore, MD.
5. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 6
Hoey, J.J., Williams, L., Lamboy, L. (November, 2015). A Unity of engagement from many, for many,
shall flourish online. Presented at the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies
(WCET) Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
Williams, L., Shean, A., Kolodziej, M. (October, 2015) Future of online learning analytics. Presented
at the Annual Online Learning Consortium International Conference. Orlando, FL.
Pattenaude, R., Williams, L., Eckert, A. (2015). Online advising: Much ado about something.
Presented at the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University
Commission Academic Resource Conference. Oakland, CA.
Pattenaude, R., Williams, L., Feikema, J. (2014). Mobilizing effectiveness: Aligning academic
program review, online assessment, feedback, and planning for learner success. Presented at the
Council on Adult and Experiential Learning Conference. Chicago, IL.
Hoey, J., Pattenaude, R., Williams, L., Swenson, C., & Jayaraman, R. (2014). Enhancing institutional
quality in the proprietary sector through listening, reflecting and communicating. Presented at the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Academic
Resource Conference. Los Angeles, CA.
Williams, L., Kotsiovos, J., Scorzo, M. & Ingram, K. (2012). The Kaplan Way for Learning. Presented
at the Pearson CITE Conference. Orlando, FL.
Williams, L. & Riedel, E. (2010). Key Performance Indicators of Student Support in a Blended PhD
Program. Presented at the Sloan-C Blended Conference. Orlando, FL.
Hickman, C. J. & Williams, L. (2005). Incentives and disincentives in attracting faculty to participate
in distance education: A review of the literature. Paper presented at the University Continuing
Education Association, Boston, MA.
Williams, L. (2005) How Can We Mentor Adult Learners On-Line? Presented at the New England
Educational Research Organization, Northampton, MA.
Williams, L., Barber, M.A., & Ashcroft, J. (2005) Equipping Faculty for Technology Integration and
Distance Education. Presented at the University Continuing Higher Education Association
Conference, Boston, MA.
Grants
National Science Foundation - Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement Grant, Co-
Principal Investigator, Union Institute & University, 2005
$85,000 - To revise science curriculum for pre-service K-12 teachers in Miami-Dade and Broward
Counties, FL to develop hybrid courses, effective online practices, and field experiences using new
equipment
6. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 7
St. Michael’s College - Curriculum Development Grant, St. Michael’s College, 2001
$5000 - Two-year project to develop a Saint Michael's English Language Placement Test for non-
native speakers of English, in collaboration with director of English Language Programs.
Northern New England TESOL - Member Grant, St. Michael’s College, 1996
$500 - Used to support production of video, Sufficient and Appropriate, to improve Vermont public
schools' ability to serve ESL children.
7. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 7
St. Michael’s College - Curriculum Development Grant, St. Michael’s College, 2001
$5000 - Two-year project to develop a Saint Michael's English Language Placement Test for non-
native speakers of English, in collaboration with director of English Language Programs.
Northern New England TESOL - Member Grant, St. Michael’s College, 1996
$500 - Used to support production of video, Sufficient and Appropriate, to improve Vermont public
schools' ability to serve ESL children.