UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Betty Harper has been named assistant vice provost for assessment with Penn State's Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR), and will begin her new role on July 25.
“Betty is a valued member of the OPAIR team and brings with her a wealth of educational assessment expertise and institutional knowledge,” said Lance Kennedy-Phillips, vice provost for Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research. “We have been fortunate to have Betty as a member of this group since 2012 and could not be happier to see her continue to advance in her career. She’s a natural leader and an excellent fit for this position.”
Within OPAIR, the assessment team supports and manages the learning outcomes assessment processes for more than 725 of Penn State’s academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate and certificate levels. The team provides education, resources and support for units and programs across the University seeking to incorporate assessment into their practice and supports University leaders with targeted studies that address strategic and operational issues through survey research or novel data analysis. In 2020 the team collaborated with the Office of Educational Equity to conduct Penn State’s Community Survey. This first of its kind, University-wide survey was implemented as part of ongoing efforts to promote community, inclusion and diversity on campus, and to support strategic priorities in these areas. OPAIR’s assessment team also leads in designing and executing Penn State’s General Education assessment plan.
“Accepting the role of assistant vice provost for assessment allows me the opportunity to lead an amazing group of people who are doing important work in support of Penn State’s mission. I’m honored to have been selected," said Harper.
Harper has been at Penn State for over 20 years and has worked in a variety of positions, including as an undergraduate program coordinator, director of Student Affairs Research and Assessment, senior research associate in institutional research, associate vice provost for institutional research, and most recently as interim assistant vice provost for assessment.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in natural resources conservation and her master of science in wildlife ecology from the University of Florida in Gainesville; and her doctorate in higher education from Penn State.
“Since first arriving at Penn State in 1999, I have been an instructor, a student and a staff member, and there is still something new to learn every day,” said Harper. “Those positive experiences continue to keep me engaged and motivated. I look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.”