Dear Elliott School Community,
It is with mixed emotions — pleasure, pride, sadness and regret — that I announce that Lisa Stephenson, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Services will be leaving the Elliott School after twenty years of service to take on a new role as Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee.
Lisa currently manages all the Elliott School’s academic programs, undergraduate and graduate, and student services. She started her career at GW as director of the Graduate Student Career Development Center, now known as GSS.
Originally hired to scale up the graduate career center by Ed McCord, Professor Emeritus, Lisa has served under several deans at the Elliott School and presidents of the GW University during her tenure. Provost Brian Blake says, “Lisa has been a committed and inspirational leader in the Elliott School, working hard every day to enhance its academic programs and student services so that Elliott graduates are prepared to become leaders and problem-solvers in international affairs. I have valued her partnership, and I can say confidently that Elliott is well-positioned for future success in large part because of Lisa’s tireless efforts.”
Former Elliott School Dean, Michael Brown says, “The Elliott School has made great strides over the past twenty years, and Lisa has been central to our success. She has made truly extraordinary efforts on our behalf. Many of Lisa’s contributions are visible, such as her leadership in building and running our world-class undergraduate and graduate programs. Some of her most important contributions have been behind the scenes: taking on jobs that had to be done, solving problems that appeared out of nowhere, and keeping everyone pointed in the right direction. Through it all, Lisa kept us laughing, and she somehow made it fun. I have never had a better colleague. I wish her the best in her new venture!”
Lisa earned her PhD in higher education and leadership from the University of Maryland and holds an M.A. in international studies from the University of Oregon and a B.A. in French language and literature from the University of Wyoming. Her passion, developed over her long career, has been to broaden opportunities for students who have historically been marginalized. She was a guiding force behind the effort to develop the office of diversity and inclusion at the Elliott School which has since become a model for D&I offices across the campus.
Join us in wishing Lisa all the best as she takes on a new challenge at Sewanee. Her dedication and commitment to the mission of the Elliott School and to bettering the lives and opportunities of her students is a wonderful legacy she leaves to our Elliott community. You can post your well wishes to Kudoboard, or you may reach out to Lisa directly at lisastephenson123@gmail.com.
Lisa, thank you for your service, we will miss you, and we wish you all the best.
Ilana Feldman,
Interim Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs