Dr. Lorie Kittendorf is a seasoned and passionate leader in higher education, bringing over 25 years of experience advancing student success, equity, and belonging across diverse institutional contexts. As the Assistant Vice President for Access and Community Programs at The University of Tampa, she leads data-informed strategies that elevate outcomes for first-generation, Pell-eligible, and academically vulnerable students.

Dr. Kittendorf’s career spans public and private institutions, where she has led initiatives in program design, assessment, grant writing and management, and student success. She has created and managed mentoring programs, coordinated campus climate assessments, developed and facilitated curriculum and training, and supported institutional efforts to enhance student engagement and retention. Bridging academic and student affairs, she integrates data-driven insights with storytelling to reveal the impact of institutional initiatives on student outcomes. A skilled facilitator and educator, she teaches leadership development and first-year seminars that help students discover their strengths and thrive.

She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs, and a B.A. in Visual Communications with a minor in American Sign Language. She is a Gallup Certified Strengths Educator, a Certified Workplace Mediator and Trainer (CMT), and holds a Certificate in Grant Writing from the Non-Profit Leadership Center in Tampa. Her holistic approach to student success combines rigorous analysis with a deep commitment to human connection, making her a powerful advocate for student belonging in higher education.

Dr. Lorie Kittendorf is a seasoned and passionate leader in higher education, bringing over 25 years of experience advancing student success, equity, and belonging across diverse institutional contexts. As the Assistant Vice President for Access and Community Programs at The University of Tampa, she leads data-informed strategies that elevate outcomes for first-generation, Pell-eligible, and academically vulnerable students.

Dr. Kittendorf’s career spans public and private institutions, where she has led initiatives in program design, assessment, grant writing and management, and student success. She has created and managed mentoring programs, coordinated campus climate assessments, developed and facilitated curriculum and training, and supported institutional efforts to enhance student engagement and retention. Bridging academic and student affairs, she integrates data-driven insights with storytelling to reveal the impact of institutional initiatives on student outcomes. A skilled facilitator and educator, she teaches leadership development and first-year seminars that help students discover their strengths and thrive.

She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs, and a B.A. in Visual Communications with a minor in American Sign Language. She is a Gallup Certified Strengths Educator, a Certified Workplace Mediator and Trainer (CMT), and holds a Certificate in Grant Writing from the Non-Profit Leadership Center in Tampa. Her holistic approach to student success combines rigorous analysis with a deep commitment to human connection, making her a powerful advocate for student belonging in higher education.