Elizabeth Giddens, PhD, is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives at the University of San Diego. She also serves as the WSCUC ALO for USD. In her position, she is a member of the President’s Cabinet, chairs the University Assessment Committee, coordinates academic program review, and supports the analytical-side and strategic initiative funding program of the University’s strategic plan.

Prior to her position at USD, she was the Director of University Accreditation and Policy at the University of North Texas Dallas and the Registrar/Special Assistant to the Provost for Assessment and Accreditation at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Dr. Giddens holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment with a minor in higher education administration and a graduate certificate in institutional research from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master’s in Public/Educational Policy from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and a Bachelor’s from the University of Tampa.

She has taught statistics and research methods to undergraduate and graduate-level students. She is a Cohort 11 graduate of ALA and is also on the CAIR Board.

In 2022, Dr. Giddens led USD through its reaffirmation of accreditation with WSCUC in which USD was reaffirmed for another 10-years.