Elizabeth Sumner
Brownsburg,IN
Summary
Innovative Educational Leader | Strategic Project Driver | Student Success Advocate
With 14 years of experience transforming educational environments, I am passionate about designing impactful learning experiences and driving change through innovative strategies. I excel at leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and creating support structures that empower students, faculty, and leaders alike. My commitment to continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making has consistently led to successful program expansions, increased student engagement, and the professional growth of those I support. Whether coaching individuals or guiding large-scale initiatives, I thrive on turning challenges into opportunities for success.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
User Experience Solutions Designer
WGU
Salt Lake City, UT
12.2022 - Current
- Built Experience Design Practice
Recruited to establish an experience design practice within the Career department, implementing data-driven strategies shared with university stakeholders. - Education Product Launch - Project Manager & Experience Designer
Led the project from research to implementation, successfully launching a new student experience that enhanced engagement and learning outcomes. - User Experience Designer
Developed process and journey maps using Lucid to visualize the design process, aligning strategic initiatives with user needs and enhancing stakeholder understanding. - Learning Designer & Faculty Career Coaching
Spearheaded milestones with a 100% completion rate for FY23, delivering presentations and standardizing processes to improve faculty engagement. - Project Manager, NSLS WGU Chapter
Designed and delivered an All Staff presentation for the Senior Vice President, showcasing key achievements and strategic initiatives. - Alumni Experience Designer for Commencement
Created a user-centered alumni experience for commencement, enhancing engagement and celebrating achievements.
Lead Project Owner
WGU
Salt Lake City, UT
03.2021 - 12.2022
- Company Overview: Academic Services, WGU, Salt Lake City, UT
- Cross-Functional Project Lead & Data Management
Recruited to lead and manage cross-functional projects, enhancing department efficiency by organizing data and optimizing business processes. - Data Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Developed strategies to surface and communicate departmental data and project insights to leadership and stakeholders, driving informed decision-making. - Project Change Manager & Product Designer, WGU New Student Orientation
Led the design and change management of WGU’s New Student Orientation using Smart Author; monitored work plans, drafted communications, and met 100% of deliverables, delivering the product ahead of schedule. - Coaching Pilot - Project Lead & Change Manager
Managed the pilot project, overseeing change management and delivering professional development training for 100 program mentors, enhancing coaching effectiveness.
Program Faculty Manager
WGU
Salt Lake City, UT
09.2019 - 03.2021
- Faculty & Program Support Leadership, College of Health Professions
Recruited following success in developing collaborative support for the Student Success Center, led faculty and support for three growing health profession programs. Expanded a 7-member team to 17, supporting a wider array of collegiate programs. - Mentor Development & Culture Transformation
Created and implemented a mentor support structure that guided faculty through a cultural transformation. Conducted career coaching to support professional growth, enhancing team engagement and retention. - Strategic Program Enhancements & Cross-Functional Leadership
Collaborated on Degree Program Leadership Committees to conduct needs analyses, identify barriers, and strategically update courses, mentor practices, and student pathways, improving student and mentor experiences. - Academic Planning & Change Management
Served as Academic Planning Education Spokesperson for the CHP Cluster, communicating organizational changes using ADKAR principles to align teams and drive successful transformations.
Student Success Instructor II
WGU
Salt Lake City, UT
03.2011 - 09.2019
- Student Success Center Leader & Adult Learning Specialist
Recruited for expertise in adult learning theory to create and support initiatives in the Student Success Center, managing a 7-year collaboration with the College of Health Professions. - Cross-Functional Project Initiation & Expansion
Initiated and led a cross-functional project with CHP leaders, successfully expanding support to all pre-licensure programs, resulting in 50% of the Student Success Center’s total support being dedicated to CHP students. - Readmission Support & Workshop Development
Developed WGU’s Readmission course and workshops, empowering returning students with skills in self-efficacy, adversity management, motivation, goal-setting, stress reduction, and time management. - Student Coaching & Workshop Facilitation
Coached students to enhance their self-efficacy and delivered monthly workshops on key topics such as Goal Setting, Mind Mapping, and Study Skills to foster academic success.
Education
Master of Science - Management and Leadership
Western Governors University
Master of Science - Higher Education, Student Affairs
Indiana University
Bloomington, INBachelor of Science - Residential Property Management / Marketing Minor
Ball State University
Muncie, INBachelor of Science - Interior Design
Ball State University
Muncie, INSkills
- ADKAR
- User Experience Design
- Human Centered Design Certified
- Innovative and Creative Problem Solving
- Leadership Development
- Communication
- Training
- Coaching
- Project management abilities
Affiliations
- Girl Scout Leader
- TPCC volunteer
Accomplishments
- WGU Excellence Award Recipient
Certification
- ACC Coach, ICF
- Human Centered Design, IDEO
- CCSP, NCDA
Timeline
User Experience Solutions Designer
WGU
12.2022 - Current
Lead Project Owner
WGU
03.2021 - 12.2022
Program Faculty Manager
WGU
09.2019 - 03.2021
Student Success Instructor II
WGU
03.2011 - 09.2019
Master of Science - Management and Leadership
Western Governors University
Master of Science - Higher Education, Student Affairs
Indiana University
Bachelor of Science - Residential Property Management / Marketing Minor
Ball State University
Bachelor of Science - Interior Design
Ball State University
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