Nicole Lesher, PhD
Vice President of Institutional Research and Assessment (IRA)
Bio
Dr. Lesher is an accomplished professional with nearly 35 years of invaluable experience in the field of higher education. With a diverse range of roles under her belt, including Chief Operating Officer, Provost, Director of Assessment, Academic Dean, and Faculty, Dr. Lesher has honed her skills and acquired comprehensive knowledge across the higher education landscape. Her extensive experience enables her to navigate the complex challenges faced by educational institutions effectively.
Notably, Dr. Lesher has played a pivotal role in helping numerous schools secure and maintain accreditation, while ensuring compliance with state regulations. Her dedication to the accreditation process is evident through her involvement as an evaluator for the Distance Education and Training Council and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As an active member of the WASC Substantive Change Committee, she contributes to shaping educational standards and policies.
Dr. Lesher’s academic background further strengthens her expertise. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from San Diego State University, a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration with a focus on Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Additionally, she is a distinguished graduate of the WASC Assessment Leadership Academy.
Beyond her impressive credentials, Dr. Lesher’s passion for higher education and commitment to fostering excellence make her an asset to any institution she serves. Her ability to blend strategic thinking with practical implementation has consistently yielded positive outcomes for the organizations she has worked with.
In summary, Dr. Lesher’s extensive experience, leadership roles, and unwavering dedication to educational quality and compliance make her a highly respected professional in the field of higher education. Her contributions in accreditation, educational consulting, and assessment of student learning have positively impacted numerous institutions, positioning her as an exceptional leader in the realm of higher education administration.
Professioanl Summary
As a highly effective leader in higher education with 35 years of experience, I possess a proven track record of success in strategic planning, faculty development, assessment, and accreditation. With a deep understanding of the intricacies and challenges that come with leading an academic institution, I am committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, academic excellence, collaboration, and innovation. My ability to build strong relationships with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders has enabled me to implement successful initiatives that have positively impacted institutional effectiveness and student outcomes. I am a visionary leader with a passion for creating and implementing strategic plans that support the mission of the institution and align with the changing landscape of higher education.
Professional Experience
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES (January 2023 – Present)
Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
Provides direction and oversight for institutional assessment, assessment of student learning, institutional research and strategic planning initiatives. Responsible for informing and facilitating continuous improvement across the University by providing a broad array of research and reporting services to internal and external stakeholders.
LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (Januaru 2017 – Novvember 2022)
Provost/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer (July 2021 – November 2022)
Served as the Chief Academic Officer for the college. Provided strategic leadership for curriculum development, academic program delivery, assessment activities, and program quality. Responsible for the on-going development, enhancement and measurement of learning outcomes for the College and participated in the creation of new academic programs and policies in alignment with the College’s mission and goals. Functioned as liaison between the Board of Trustees and Academic Affairs.
- Managed $4.5M instructional budget with transparency.
- Led new program development, quality curriculum, academic policies and retention efforts.
- Supported comprehensive DEI initiatives including professional development, policy creation, curriculum and programming.
- Advocated for faculty with a commitment to shared governance and academic excellence.
- Maintained open and honest communication with accreditors and regulators.
Associate Provost/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer (Febuary 2020-June 2021)
Established collaborative strategies with the provost to ensure the College achieved its stated mission. Supported the Academic Affairs department in assessment, accreditation, student code of conduct, diversity, equity and inclusion, regulatory compliance and faculty development.
- Supported the development of faculty in effective teaching and learning pedagogy, assessment practices and diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
- Evaluated, investigated and adjudicated all allegations against faculty as well as violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
- Participated in the creation of new academic programs and policies in alignment with the College’s mission and goals.
Director of Assessment and Accreditation/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer (January 2017-January 2020)
Led faculty and staff in the creation and implementation of comprehensive assessment plans and worked with the institutional research staff to transform data into information that supports institutional and program improvement. Responsible for planning and execution of all accreditation activities, initiatives, and visits.
- Led faculty in development and articulation of learning outcomes for all departments.
- Ensured the alignment of curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment with learning outcomes.
- Supported the collection and analysis of assessment data to determine areas of improvement.
- Developed and implemented a formal institutional effectiveness plan and program review process for all units.
CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (May 2013 – December 2016)
Director of Institutional Research and Assessment/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer
Member of the senior management team, responsible for managing the assessment department and all activities related to strategic planning, assessment, student success and compliance.
- Developed and implemented student, academic and administrative policies in accordance with applicable regulations, accreditation standards, internal policies and best practices in assessment.
- Built collaborative relationships between university departments to better coordinate and focus institutional assessment efforts on a learner-centered approach to student success.
- Managed all new program development and substantive changes, leading program chairs in the process.
- Guided university assessment activities to support planning and budgeting.
- Provided training, support and resources for assessment of curricular, co-curricular and institutional effectiveness.
- Analyzed legal and regulatory developments, disseminated information to appropriate departments and provided guidance on potential impacts to educational operations.
- Prepared and reviewed all federal, state, accreditation and other reports and correspondence relating to institutional approvals, new programs, program modifications, and new locations as required by respective agencies. (Achieved initial accreditation with WSCUC and submitted seven substantive change reports).
HENLEY-PUTNAM UNIVERSITY (April 2006 – May 2013)
Director of Educational Compliance/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer
Responsible for ensuring compliance with WASC and DETC accreditation standards, as well as California state regulations. Was responsible for oversight of all assessment and accreditation activities. Led WASC self-study committee for initial accreditation visit.
- Chaired university assessment committee.
- Gained initial DETC accreditation and approval for a new doctorate program.
- Gained to VA approval, DANTES affiliation and SOC membership.
- Maintained university catalog and all policy manuals.
SELF-EMPLOYED (June 2003 – April 2006)
Education Consultant
Consultant in the field of education. Specializing in accreditation support, student success, policy development, training, course/program development, assessment, strategic planning and retention.
- Developed Distance Education Business Plan to determine feasibility of new program.
- Created student retention and motivation plan for distance education.
- Prepared analysis of state and accreditation standards for a national accreditor.
- Worked with schools to perform critical self-analysis to prepare for accreditation and state site visits.
- Performed mock-site visits for schools preparing for accreditation.
- Represented educators in meetings with state licensing officials and CA state teacher credentialing agency.
AVIATION & ELECTRONICS SCHOOLS OF AMERICA (April 1998 – June 2003)
Accreditation & Compliance Manager
Responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements for the school.
- Designed and wrote School Catalog and Policy & Procedure Manual.
- Attained DETC and COE accreditations, VA approval as well as DANTES affiliation for school.
- Prepared & submitted ACE, CA BPPVE, INS, & JTPA applications.
HEALD BUSINESS COLLEGE ( September 1996 – January 1998)
Dean of Instruction/Instructor
Responsible for overall operations of evening classes for private business college.
- Counseled and advised students on academic, attendance and conduct matters.
- Supervised faculty to ensure productive classroom activity through evaluations and follow-ups.
- Created Master Schedule, instructor schedules and student program plans.
- Taught college level courses in Student Success, Essential Language Skills and Keyboarding.
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES (Febuary 1991 – July 1996)
Chief Operating Officer (1995-1996)
Managed the administration of business operations including strategic planning, budgeting, human resources and contracting.
- Formulated and administered $2 million operations budget; met all targets.
- Orchestrated successful five-year re-accreditation and California state license re-approval.
- Worked closely with the Marketing department to set targets and formulate marketing strategies.
- Lead successful initiatives in education planning and retention to meet college targets.
Director of Student Services (1991-1995)
Managed all Student Services departments, including Admissions & Records, Faculty, Student Advisement, Communications, Mailroom, Shipping/Inventory and Financial Aid.
- Developed and implemented student motivation program to increase completion rates.
- Co-authored college publications such as catalogs, orientation manuals, & company policies.
- Developed successful Total Quality Improvement (TQI) Program to improve customer service; overall complaints decreased 73% in first year.
- Coordinated student support program from admissions to graduation.
FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING ( May 1988 – Febuary 1991)
Education Coordinator/Instructor
Provided academic advisement, admissions screening, and junior college level individual tutoring.
- Interviewed and tested high risk and ATB students.
- Instructed four semesters of college level Introduction to Computers.
- Instructed three semesters of college level English Composition, developing curriculum, training aids and grading criteria. Received outstanding rating on 100% of student evaluations.
- Developed and presented numerous campus training workshops improving retention rates by 30%. Topics included: public speaking, time management, note-taking and study skills.
Education/Training
Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration: Educational Leadership
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, 2022.
Dissertation: The Relationship between Game Art Students’ Achievement and Their Perceived Quality of Assessment
VALUE Institute Certified Scorer
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, 2018.
WASC Assessment Leadership Academy
WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, Oakland, California, 2015.
Master of Arts, Organizational Management
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX, San Diego, California, 1995.
Bachelor of Arts, English
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, San Diego, California, 1988.
Teaching/Training
- Guest Lecturer: Pedagogy + Professional Studies, Laguna College of Art and Design MFA Course, 2018- 2022.
- Trainer: Writing Course Learning Outcomes, Laguna College of Art and Design Dept. Chair Residency, 2018.
- Trainer: Aligning Learning Outcomes, Laguna College of Art and Design Faculty Senate Training, 2017.
- Trainer: Introduction to Assessment, California Southern University Faculty Retreat, 2014-2016.
- Instructor: Student Success, Keyboarding, English Composition, Heald Business College, 1996-1997.
- Instructor: English Composition, Student Success, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, 1990-1991.
Presentations and Publications
- Connection to Evidence: Methods for Learning and Knowing, WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2023.
- Intersection of PLO Assessment and Advancement Review; WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2019.
- Assessment in Context: Showcasing the WSCUC Community of Practice Project, Panel member; WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2019.
- Assessment in the Arts Special Interest Group; WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2018, 2019, 2021and 2022.
- Organized and led Assessment in the Arts collaboration session with multiple institutions, 2017.
- Co-Presenter: Measuring Student Learning in the Visual and Performing Arts; WASC ARC, 2017.
- Publication: Assessment, A Mouse, and a Cookie, AAHLE Intersection, Summer 2016.
- Podcast: Understanding the Fundamentals of Assessment, CalSouthern Sun, August 2015.
- Publication: Assessment 101, CalSouthern Sun, April 2015.
- Interview: An Emphasis on Assessment, CalSouthern Sun, February 2015.
- Presentation: Competency Based Education, WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2013.
- Presentation: Outcomes Assessment and Program Review, DEAC Annual Meeting, 2013.
- Presentation: Outcomes Assessment, DETC Workshop, 1991.
Professional Publications
- Member, WSCUC Substantive Change Committee 2017-present.
- School Evaluator, WSCUC, 2017-present.
- School Evaluator, Distance Education Accreditation Commission, 1992-present.
- Project Facilitator, Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design Assessment Initiative, 2017-2021.
- Participant, WSCUC Community of Practice, 2018-2019.
- WSCUC ARC Advisory Committee, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
- Certified Crisis Counselor, Pathway Health Clinic, 2016-2018.
- Member, DETC Awards and Recognition Committee, 2012-2013.
- Member, DETC Research and Educational Standards Committee, 2006-2013.
- Member: DETC Faculty Qualifications Task Force, 2009.
- School Evaluator, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, 2005.
- School Evaluator, Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS WASC), 2004.
- Member: Distance Education & WASC Accreditation Task Forces, Heald College, 1997.
- Certified Campus Director, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, 1994.
- School Evaluator, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, 1995.
Professional Development
- Academic Impressions, DEI Foundations: Implicit Bias in Higher Education, 2021.
- Academic Impressions, DEI Foundations: Intersectionality in Higher Education, 2021.
- Academic Impressions, Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Engaging in Dialogue About Race and Bias, 2021.
- Academic Impressions, Improving Faculty Evaluations: A Training for Department Chairs, 2020.
- Academic Impressions, Strategies for Developing New Academic Program, 2018.
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Administrators in Higher Education Training, 2017.
- WSCUC Peer Evaluator Training for Reaffirmation and Special Visits, 2017.
- Designing and Implementing an Assessment System with the Baptist College of Florida, Dr. Susan Wegmann, 2016.
- CACREP, How to Write A CACREP Self-Study, 2016.
- WSCUC Academic Resource Conferences, 2012-2017.
- AAC&U Assessing General Education Conference, 2016.
- Engaging Faculty in Assessment Webinar, Dr. Tomei, 2016.
- Designing Quality Rubrics Webinar, Dr. Tomei, 2015.
- Employment Law Basics, 2014.
- WASC, How to Host a Successful Site Visit, 2012.
- WASC 101- The Accreditation Process Clear and Simple, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 2010.
- On-line Distance Education Evaluators Training, ACCSCT, 2005.
- Business Standards, Distance Education & Training Council, 1991.
- Effective Motivational Management Course, Leadership Edge, Inc., 1992.
- Techniques for Managers of Small Schools, Career College Association, 1992.
- Supervising Under Pressure, Keye Productivity Center, 1992.
- How to Build a Better Team, Keye Productivity Center, 1993.
- The Basics of Writing Policies and Procedures, Keye Productivity Center, 1995.
- New Course Planning, Distance Education & Training Council, 1996.
- Evaluator Training Program, Distance Education & Training Council, 1997.
- Workshop for Visiting Team Members, Council on Occupational Accreditation, 1998.
