Shirley Greer, Ph.D. - Student Services Professional
Professional Overview
Dr. Shirley Greer is an experienced student services professional with a proven track record of driving student engagement, academic success, and institutional impact. As the Dr Student Services at Kaplan University, she leverages her deep expertise in higher education administration, student development, and academic advising to foster transformative experiences for diverse student populations.
Current Role
In her current role as Dr Student Services at Kaplan University, Dr. Greer is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive student services portfolio, including academic advising, career counseling, and student life programming. She works closely with faculty, staff, and administrators to develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance the overall student experience and drive measurable improvements in student outcomes, such as increased retention and graduation rates.
Dr. Greer's strong leadership and collaborative approach have enabled her to spearhead several successful initiatives, such as the implementation of a peer mentoring program that has increased first-year student persistence by 15% and the design of a data-driven early alert system that has helped identify and support at-risk students, leading to a 20% reduction in withdrawal rates.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Dr. Greer served as the Director of Student Affairs at a regional public university, where she led a team of professionals in delivering high-quality services and programs to a diverse student body of over 12,000 learners. In this position, she was instrumental in establishing several new student support services, including a campus-wide mental health initiative and a first-generation student success program, both of which were recognized for their positive impact on student well-being and academic achievement.
Academic Background
Dr. Greer holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Iowa, where her research focused on the role of student services in supporting non-traditional learners. She also earned a Master of Science in Student Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa.
Areas of Expertise
- Student services and academic advising
- Student development and engagement
- Retention and persistence strategies
- Data-driven decision making and program evaluation
- Higher education administration and policy
- Collaborative leadership and team building
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Dr. Greer has been recognized for her contributions to the field of student services, including the NASPA Excellence Award for her work in developing innovative mental health support programs and the ACPA Emerging Scholar Award for her research on the unique needs of first-generation college students. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including NASPA and ACPA, and frequently presents at national conferences on best practices in student services.
Conclusion
With over a decade of experience in higher education, Dr. Shirley Greer is a respected student services professional who is dedicated to fostering transformative educational experiences and promoting student success. Her strong leadership, collaborative approach, and innovative mindset make her a valuable asset to the Kaplan University community and the broader field of student affairs.
