Professional
Allison D. Garrett was chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from 2021-24. She led a state system comprised of 25 state colleges and universities and 10 constituent agencies. Garrett provided leadership on matters relating to standards for Oklahoma higher education, courses and programs of study, budget allocations for institutions, fees and tuition, and strategic planning.
Background
Garrett became the ninth chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education in November 2021 after a national search. Prior to her role as Chancellor, she served as the 17th president of Emporia State University (ESU) in Emporia, Kansas.
During her institutional presidency, ESU developed momentum in several key areas, including completion of its largest capital campaign; transformation of the campus with new building projects; record-setting increases in student retention and graduation; and development of new academic programs to address the needs of state and regional business and industry. As ESU president, she served as vice chair of the NCAA Board of Governors and as chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Council.
Before serving as president of ESU, Garrett was executive vice president of Abilene Christian University, senior vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma Christian University, and an associate professor of law at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama.
Garrett also worked for more than a decade at the Walmart Inc. corporate offices, holding the positions of vice president and general counsel for the corporate division and vice president of benefits compliance and planning. Upon graduation from law school, she went into private practice before taking a position with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Academic Credentials and Honors
Garrett holds a juris doctorate from The University of Tulsa College of Law, She also holds a Master of Laws in securities regulation from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Oklahoma Christian University.
In April 2024, Garrett was named by The Journal Record as one of Oklahoma's Most Admired CEOs. In November 2024, she received the Oklahoma National Guard’s Oklahoma Thunderbird Medal, which is the highest honor presented to a civilian.
Personal
A native of Neosho, Missouri, Garrett and her husband, former judge Chip Garrett, a Nowata native, live in Edmond and operate a cattle ranch in northeast Oklahoma. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.
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