APLU Names Elise Miller as Vice President for Research & Policy Analysis

Washington, DC – The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities today announced that Elise Miller will serve as its new Vice President for Research & Policy Analysis. Miller will formally begin working at APLU on August 1.

“Elise Miller is a well-known and respected leader in the post-secondary data community and we are thrilled that she will be joining our team,” APLU President Peter McPherson said. “APLU has long placed a high priority on the use and reporting of improved post-secondary data to expand transparency and increase accountability, which is why we are so pleased to fill this position with someone who has such outstanding credentials. Elise will play a central role in advancing APLU’s efforts to help universities improve student outcomes, close achievement gaps, and increase degree completion. We are fortunate to add her extraordinary talents to an already stellar staff.”

“I am ecstatic to join an organization that is so dedicated to ensuring students succeed,” Miller said. “APLU plays a vital role in helping public universities identify new ways to use data to drive gains in student achievement and has a hard-earned reputation as a leader in data policy. I look forward to helping APLU continue its tireless advocacy for quality data that enhances transparency, strengthens accountability, and improves student success.”

Miller comes to APLU with a deep knowledge and vast experience in higher education data and policy. For six years, she served as program director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Postsecondary Institutional Studies Program. In that role, she oversaw the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative. Following her time at the Department, Miller worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she developed its postsecondary success data strategy. Her professional experience also includes time working as director for research and policy analysis at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities as well as helping to develop and create AccessLex Institute — a research and policy institute aimed at improving legal education programs.

As Vice President for Research & Policy Analysis, Miller will work closely with all departments at the association. She will develop, implement, and strengthen new and existing initiatives, including the Student Achievement Measure and Voluntary System of Accountability, to improve the data and analytic capacity of public research universities and contribute to national advocacy for improved national data infrastructure and metrics. This position at APLU was last held by Christine Keller, who recently became Executive Director of Association for Institutional Research.