The College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University announces the appointments of Elizabeth (Liz) M. Green and Andrea J. Willis as assistant teaching professors, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Both appointments represent strategic investments in the College’s mission to serve non-traditional and military-connected students through innovative online education, and a commitment to hiring faculty with deep expertise in professional competency education, particularly in transformational leadership and organizational development. Green and Willis bring extensive experience working directly with the non-traditional student populations the College serves.
“These appointments represent a significant step forward in our ability to deliver world-class professional competency education to our students,” said Michael J. Frasciello, Dean of the College of Professional Studies. “Liz and Andrea bring the unique combination of practical leadership experience and educational expertise that our non-traditional students need to succeed in today’s complex professional landscape.”
Green joins the faculty while serving as executive director of Student Experience, where she has increased military-connected student enrollment by over 100% in three years. As an assistant teaching professor, she will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in the College’s signature Professional Competencies Core, the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Development & Leadership Program, and across the College’s undergraduate and graduate Project Management curriculum.
Green’s qualifications include over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration and current service as a Public Affairs Officer in the United States Air Force, currently serving in the New York Air National Guard. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and PhD candidate in Higher Education Administration. Her pioneering work in establishing Syracuse University’s first Office of Online Student Success demonstrates her innovative approach to supporting non-traditional learners.
“Liz’s dual expertise as both a military officer and a recognized leader in non-traditional education provides her with an authentic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing military students pursuing higher education,” said Frasciello. “Her ability to transform organizational structures and create new pathways for student advancement exemplifies the transformational leadership principles she will teach.”
Willis joins the faculty while serving as director of Academic Programs, where she has expanded program offerings from 7 to 24 between 2018 and 2024. She will teach courses in the Professional Competencies Core, the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Healthcare Administration, the Bachelor of Professional Studies Organizational Development & Leadership, and across the Project Management curriculum.
Willis’ educational background includes a Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Conflict Resolution. She has extensive experience in online course development and has already created and taught foundational courses for the College’s undergraduate programs.
“Andrea’s proven success in creating engaging virtual learning environments for non-traditional students, combined with her expertise in supporting military-connected students, makes her exceptionally qualified to serve this unique population,” said Ryan O. Williams, Senior Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies.
Both appointments reflect the College’s strategic commitment to strengthening its academic offerings through a focus on professional competency education in areas such as Transformational Leadership, Change Management, Practical Financial Management, Assertiveness in the Workplace for Professional Studies, Creative and Design Thinking, Conflict in Business and Management, Leading Cooperative Negotiations, and Digital and Business Communications.
Green and Willis will contribute to course development, program assessment, and accreditation processes while maintaining the College’s strong focus on accessibility and student success. Their work will involve creating new online courses that address emerging trends in leadership and organizational development, as well as redesigning existing courses to incorporate current research and industry practices.
“These appointments demonstrate our commitment to hiring faculty who don’t just teach about leadership and professional development – they live it,” said Williams. “Liz and Andrea have demonstrated the ability to transform organizations, develop innovative programs, and create meaningful pathways for student success.”