The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) today announced the hiring of two new vice presidents, effective January 2020, who will advance the Commission’s work to assure quality in postsecondary education, Dr. Stephanie Bond Huie and Dr. Susan B. Opp

“Dr. Huie and Dr. Opp embody WSCUC’s commitment to student success, institutional improvement, and rigorous standards,” WSCUC President Jamienne S. Studley said. “We’re confident their deep expertise and knowledge will help us strengthen postsecondary quality assurance throughout the region, while accelerating our use of meaningful data to improve outcomes.”

Dr. Huie, who is Vice Chancellor for Institutional Research and Analysis for The University of Texas System (UTS), will guide WSCUC’s recently-announced Lumina grant work focused on results-driven accountability, improvement, and student information. Before Dr. Huie joined The University of Texas System, she served at Huston-Tillotson University as interim associate provost for academic affairs, director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, and accreditation liaison. Read Dr. Huie’s full bio here. 

Studley said, “Vice Chancellor Huie is a national leader in development of data and information systems to support excellence, leadership decision making, and student information. Her innovative use of outcomes information and collaboration on trailblazing projects with UTS, NASH, the APLU, and the NASFAA make her the perfect person to lead our new Lumina project focused on expanding effective use of results in accreditation, student information, and financial sustainability.”

Dr. Opp is Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at California State University Maritime Academy, where she leads strategic plan development, fosters a learning environment for faculty, and encourages continuous improvement through increased data-driven decision-making. Previously Dr. Opp spent over 25 years at California State University, East Bay. She first was a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and later served as the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Graduate Studies and as the WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer. Read Dr. Opp’s bio here. 

“Provost Opp is a respected research scientist devoted to campus-wide use of evidence and strong faculty engagement, as demonstrated through the positive results for students under her leadership on two different CSU campuses,” said Studley. “We appreciate her commitment to institutional learning outcomes and advancing processes to better evaluate student progress, and we are excited to add her strong and effective campus change experience to our team.” 

Earlier this year, WSCUC also added two directors who support key operations and infrastructure. Beth Forest, Director of Information Technology, joined WSCUC from the University of San Francisco, where she worked for 15 years in information technology services before becoming associate registrar and director of academic services. Director of Finance and Operations Michael Toliver brings more than two decades of extensive accounting, business administration ,and higher education experience and significant knowledge of audit and facility management, contract negotiation, and benefits administration.