UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Betty J. Harper has been named associate vice provost for planning and institutional research (PIR) at Penn State, effective March 1. Previously, Harper served as interim associate vice provost for planning and institutional research at the University.
“We are very excited to have Betty continue her leadership of the Department of Planning and Institutional Research. She brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the position,” said Lance Kennedy-Phillips, vice provost for planning and assessment. “Betty has developed strong working relationships across the University that will add value to PIR, the Office of Planning and Assessment, and the Office of the Provost.”
As associate vice provost, Harper is responsible for leading the Department of Planning and Institutional Research (PIR) which continues to provide support to University decision-making through data collection and analytic activities, research projects, and strategic planning.
“I’m very excited to be continuing my career at Penn State and about the future of PIR,” Harper said. “This office has a strong reputation and history, and it has the right staff to take it to the next level.”
Harper’s other experiences includes serving at Penn State as senior planning and research associate in the Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment, affiliate professor of education, director of Student Affairs Research and Assessment and senior project associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education.
She earned her bachelor of science in natural resource conservation and master of science in wildlife ecology and conservation from the University of Florida and doctorate in higher education from Penn State.