Lorraine Williams has over 20 years of experience in higher education administration. She currently serves as Provost at Ashford University, where she oversees academics and manages a $80 million budget. Previously, she held positions including Vice Provost, Executive Director of a student success center, and Vice President of product strategy. Williams has a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on educational leadership and has experience in areas such as accreditation, budget management, program development, and online education.

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.
• Successfully managed budget of over $80 million demonstrating strong financial and
business leadership.
• Accreditation liaison officer and regional accreditation reviewer. Led successful WSCUC
accreditation site visit.
• Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Educational Leadership.
• Passion for providing the best learning and support experience for learners, especially
those considered non-traditional.
• Strong focus on research and evidence-based decisions leading to improvements in
retention and graduation.
• Diverse experience educating and training learners in both educational and non-profit
arenas, including: academic support, library, academic technology, student support services,
disability services, educational technology, instructional design, adult development and
teaching English as a Second Language.
• 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.
• From 2014 to early 2016, oversaw successful development of new undergraduate programs
in nursing and engineering as well as 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.
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 – present

2. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 3
Ashford University, San Diego, CA
Lead the academic division of the university of nearly 50,000 students and 3,000 faculty including
the Forbes School of Business and the Colleges of Education; Liberal Arts; and Health, Human
Services and Science to improve student success and academic quality in online programs for
adults, as well as campus-based programs for traditional aged students. Oversee design and
implementation of academic plan for the university, advance the academic mission, and continually
improve the quality of the academic experience for students. Supervise more than 3000 faculty and
staff and manage a budget of over $80 million. Serve 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. Supervise program design, course development and instructional design
staff. Responsible for development of all academic programs. Work 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, increased entire staff over 100%; 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

3. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 4
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
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.

4. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 5
Selected Professional Service & Special Projects
Research Pipeline, Kaplan University, 2012-2013
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. Curriculum maps, assessment plans,
assessment resources, learning outcomes statements, current assessment activities, evidence of
student learning, and data about student assessment achievement to be shared over a two-year
period.
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

5. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 6
sustained online institutional strategy for attracting/retaining adult learners. Presented at the
Council on Adult and Experiential Learning Conference. Baltimore, MD.
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

6. Lorraine Williams, Ph.D. 7
equipment
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
equipment
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.