Dr. Jan Lyddon has extensive experience in public policy work, institutional research, strategic planning, and student success initiatives at two- and four-year institutions. For nearly 15 years she served as a policy analyst and leader in state-level higher education budget and research, and she has headed IR/IE and planning offices at community colleges or universities in four states.
As a data coach, Dr. Lyddon has served colleges ranging from very small to very large, in urban and rural locations. She is proud that several of the colleges are Leader Colleges and three of them (El Paso Community College, Zane State College, and Texarkana College) have been winners of the Leah Meyer Austin Award. Most importantly, they are “moving the needle” in student success.
Dr. Lyddon has served as coach with universities in South Africa through an ATD affiliate called Siyaphumelela (“we succeed”) funded by the Kresge Foundation during the first five years of the grant. She continues as a colleague coach supporting the work of South African coaches as the Siyaphumelela network scales up. She believes that there is much to be learned by sharing models between the U.S. and South Africa.
Education
Ph.D. | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
M.P.A. | Western Michigan University
M.A. | Michigan State University
B.S. | Iowa State University
Past Experience
Interim Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness | Miami University (Ohio)
Interim Director of Institutional Research | Ivy Tech Community College (Indiana)
Director of Planning and Institutional Research | Franklin University (Ohio)
Executive Vice President of Institutional Research and Effectiveness | San Jacinto College (Texas)
Chief Research and Information Officer | Connecticut Department of Higher Education
How has education changed your life/your family?
Education is a core value in my family, and through formal learning in school and college and informal learning through reading, discussion groups, and other methods, I continue to improve my skills and understanding while broadening my outlook. Through my work in ATD, I have observed firsthand how additional education and training helps individuals, families, and whole communities economically and socially. Smoothing the pathways for individuals who have had fewer advantages is a core value for me, and is fulfilled through our work in ATD.