Allison Dabbs Garrett (born 1964) is an American attorney, inventor, educator, and the chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.[1] She previously served as the 17th president of Emporia State University from January 2016 to October 2021, and prior to her time at Emporia State, Garrett served as Abilene Christian University's executive vice president, a position she held from August 20, 2012, to December 23, 2015.[2] Garrett has held several vice president positions in both education and the private sector.
Allison Garrett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education | |
| In office November 8, 2021 – December 2, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Glen D. Johnson Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Sean Burrage |
| 17th President of Emporia State University | |
| In office January 4, 2016 – October 15, 2021 | |
| Provost | David Cordle (2016–2021) George Arasimowicz (2021) |
| Preceded by | Michael Shonrock |
| Succeeded by | Ken Hush |
| Executive Vice President of Abilene Christian University | |
| In office August 20, 2012 – December 23, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Phil Schubert |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Allison Dabbs 1964 Neosho, Missouri |
| Spouse | Chip |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma Christian College University of Tulsa Georgetown University |
| Profession | Attorney and Educator |
| Salary | $415,000[1] |
| Signature |  |
Biography
editEducation
editBorn and raised in Neosho, Missouri, Garrett graduated from Oklahoma Christian College as an English major in 1984, as well as the University of Tulsa's College of Law in 1987 with her Doctor of Jurisprudence. Her Master of Laws degree came from the Georgetown University's Law Center in 1992.[3]
Career
editEarly and pre-education career
editWhile attending Georgetown Law, Garrett worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1988 to 1991 as a staff attorney.[4] In 1994, Garrett moved to Bentonville, Arkansas to work for Walmart Stores, Inc., where she served as vice president and general counsel for the corporate division and as vice president of benefits compliance and planning.[5] Garrett also holds a U.S. patent for a media disk holder, granted in 2003.[6]
Education
editAfter spending a decade with Walmart, Garrett moved to Montgomery, Alabama to serve as an assistant professor of law at Faulkner University's Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. Three years later in April 2007, Garrett was named Oklahoma Christian University's senior vice president for academic affairs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[7] While at Oklahoma Christian, Garrett oversaw the colleges, the school's library, the Honors program, and various other programs.[8]
On August 20, 2012, Garrett began her three-and-a-half-year term at Abilene Christian University. While at ACU, Garrett oversaw the financial operations, enrollment, and marketing, as well as the university's facilities. Garrett also worked with academics, advancement and athletics, as well as chairing several university committees.[9] On October 22, 2015, Garrett was named Emporia State University's 17th president.[10] She began her work as ESU's president in January 2016.[11]
During her time at Emporia State, Garrett helped Emporia State achieve increased enrollment in the graduate school, set fundraising records for the university, and helped oversee projects including an aquatic research center, a new house for the university president, a new tennis complex, and a new residence hall.[12] As ESU president, she served as vice chair of the NCAA Board of Governors and as chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Council.
On September 24, 2021, she was named the first woman and ninth chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.[13] Garrett leads a state system comprising 25 state colleges and universities, 11 constituent agencies, one university center, and independent colleges and universities coordinated with the state system. She reports to a constitutional board whose nine members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Garrett directs 20 statewide scholarship programs, including the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program, and statewide GEAR UP efforts. She was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in November 2021 to serve a three-year term as an Oklahoma designee to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). In April 2024, Garrett was named by The Journal Record as one of Oklahoma's Most Admired CEOs.[14] In November 2024, Garrett received the Oklahoma National Guard's Oklahoma Thunderbird Medal, which is the highest honor presented to a civilian. [15]
References
edit- ^ a b Martinez-Keel, Nuria (September 24, 2021). "First woman selected as chief of Oklahoma higher education". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Llopis, Celia (October 2, 2015). "Regents name Allison Garrett as Emporia State University president". CJOnline.com. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ Perez, Suzanne. "Emporia State names new president | The Wichita Eagle". Kansas.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "Allison Garrett CV Resumé" (PDF). Abilene Christian University. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 19, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Garrett named Academic Affairs VP at OC". April 27, 2007. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "US Patent Application for Systems and methods for holding media disks Patent Application (Application #20050087461 issued April 28, 2005) - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Garrett named Academic Affairs VP at OC | Oklahoma Christian University". April 27, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "Garrett named executive vice president | Optimist". Acuoptimist.com. August 25, 2012. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ Perez, Suzanne (October 5, 2015). "First finalist for Emporia State president to visit campus | The Wichita Eagle". Kansas.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ Llopis, Celia (October 2, 2015). "Emporia State taps Abilene Christian University administrator as new president". CJOnline.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ Ranker, Luke (January 24, 2016). "Emporia State President Allison Garrett looking for ways to boost enrollment in coming years". CJOnline.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ^ "September 2021 — President Garrett Resigns - Emporia State University". www.emporia.edu. September 24, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ "OC Alum Appointed as Chancellor". Oklahoma Christian University. September 24, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ "Journal Record honors Most Admired CEOs | the Journal Record". April 16, 2024.
- ^ "2024-11-7-State-Regents-Agenda" (PDF). okhighered.org. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.