Academic & Professional Background

Dr. R. Lizzie Wahab — Curriculum Vitae

Higher Education Consultant · Ed.D. Vanderbilt University · 25+ years of academic and administrative experience

Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
2020 – 2024
Vanderbilt University, Peabody College · Nashville, Tennessee

Field: Organizational Leadership & Learning

Dissertation: "Mixed Method Study of Rate of Completion of Marginalized Students at Four Regional Public Universities" — an equity-focused investigation bridging quantitative enrollment data with qualitative student experience research.

Graduate & Undergraduate Degrees
Foundational academic credentials in higher education and related fields
Consulting Experience
Founder & Senior Consultant
2006 – Present
Wahab Advisors
  • Provide strategic consulting to universities, colleges, and national ministries of education across the US, MENA region, South Caucasus, India, Bangladesh, and Central Asia
  • Design and implement enrollment management strategies for small private, public regional, and flagship universities
  • Develop transnational academic partnership frameworks and international branch campus models
  • Advise on new academic program development including undergraduate, graduate, and professional certification programs
  • Lead national-level education infrastructure planning for the Republic of Azerbaijan (2017–2018, 2022–present)
  • Support institutions in fundraising strategy, adult learner recruitment, and online/hybrid program transitions
Institutional Leadership
Vice President, Enrollment Management
2017 – 2022
Various Institutions (Small Private, Public Regional & Flagship Universities)
  • Achieved industry-leading enrollment growth across undergraduate, graduate, domestic, and international student populations
  • Directed all enrollment functions including recruitment, admissions, financial aid, and retention programming
  • Led strategic enrollment planning processes and reported directly to institutional presidents and boards
  • Built and managed enrollment teams of up to 40+ staff across multiple departments
Associate Vice President · Associate Dean · Director
1999 – 2016
Various Higher Education Institutions
  • Led enrollment management, student services, and international branch campus development operations
  • Designed and launched new academic programs aligned with emerging market demand
  • Managed international partnerships, faculty mobility, and global student recruitment pipelines
  • Oversaw student affairs, advising, and success programming for diverse student populations
Selected Consulting Projects
Mitchell College
2024 – 2025
New London, CT
  • Enrollment and institutional strategy consulting
Ministry of Education, Republic of Azerbaijan
2022 – Present
Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Strategic planning for education and research infrastructure in post-conflict South Caucasus
Westfield State University
2022 – 2023
Westfield, MA
  • International Enrollment Plan for Accelerated Courses for Remote International Students
Franklin Pierce University
2021
Rindge, NH — Graduate Business School
  • Turbo Courses in Supply Chain Logistics & Computer Security for Qatari students
Brandeis University
2019 – 2020
Waltham, MA — College of Life-Long Learning
  • Student Success Plan for Retention and Recruitment of Adult Learners
Ministry of Education, Republic of Azerbaijan
2017 – 2018
Baku, Azerbaijan
  • International Enrollment Plan for Azerbaijani higher education institutions
SUNY Adirondack
Queensbury, NY
  • New Academic Program Development strategy
Geographic Areas of Expertise
United States Republic of Azerbaijan MENA Region India Bangladesh Central Asia Qatar South Caucasus

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