In late January 2019, Colleges of the Fenway welcomed Allison O’Connor as the new Director of Academic Programs and Professional Development. In this role, Allison will provide strategic leadership and support to the Colleges of the Fenway collaboration among the five member institutions with particular focus on joint academic and human resources initiatives, including cross registration and training and development.
Allison (Coutts) O’Connor has 17 years of Higher Education experience. She is joining the Colleges of the Fenway from Curry College where she held multiple roles including Director of Student Activities & Student Center, Assistant Dean of Students, and most recently, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. In her role as the AVP, Allison was responsible for assisting with strategic planning and oversight of initiatives that promoted the personal, social, cultural and educational growth of students focusing on retention, persistence, and graduation. She was also responsible for supporting new students and their families in their transition and served as the co-chair of the Student Success committee with the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. In her time at Curry, she was a member of the College’s Senior Staff and worked collaboratively with various departments across campus. She served on numerous committees and task forces including; the Academic Advising Task Force, Professional Development planning committee, Diversity Task Force, Strategic Enrollment Management Team, Merit-based Performance Review Task Force, and the Emergency Management Planning Team.
Prior to Curry, Allison worked in the Student Activities Office at Boston University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Assumption College and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. Allison also serves her community as a Year Up mentor and Girl Scout troop leader.
Allison can be reached at aoconnor@colleges-fenway.org