PhD, 2017 Tiffanie Spencer is the assistant dean for advocacy, access, and strategic impact in the College of Education & Social Services (CESS) at the University of Vermont. In this role, she leads the development & implementation of processes, procedures, and policies that impact enrollment management, academic advising, and the undergraduate student experience, including recruitment and retention of students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. She also serves as a affiliate faculty instructor for the Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration Master's Program. She has previously served as the director for diversity & community engagement and as the assistant director for diversity, retention, & student services at CESS. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Education in higher education administration with a concentration in student affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. While earning her master’s degree, she gained experience in student conduct, as an assistant residence hall director, and serving as a mentor to underrepresented undergraduate students as part of a retention and empowerment program. Prior to beginning doctoral work at IHE, Tiffanie spent four years at Baylor University serving as a residence hall director in a first-year student, Living Learning Program community. Recognizing her work with GCAC and high academic standing she was awarded the inaugural J. Douglas Toma Excellence in Scholarship and Service Award for "academic achievements and institutional engagement." Her involvement with the GCAC program includes developing summer training prior to the advisers entering their schools, monitoring and analyzing the advisers’ data collection, and providing support to them in their daily responsibilities. Her GCAC duties have allowed her to expand her research, which focuses on college access.
