Rachel Lathrop, Ph.D., has been named Oakland Community College’s Associate Provost,
leading academic quality efforts and advancing strategic priorities.
Dr. Lathrop has held progressive leadership roles at OCC since joining the College
in 2015, most recently serving as Director of Assessment, Accreditation & Quality
in Institutional Effectiveness (IE).
“Dr. Lathrop’s background in IE makes her an exceptional fit for this role. Her experience
sits at the intersection of curriculum, assessment, accreditation and program quality–the
very functions the Associate Provost will help coordinate across our academic divisions,”
said OCC Provost Jolene Chapman, Ph.D.
Dr. Chapman credited Dr. Lathrop with helping expand OCC’s fully online programs from
two to more than 20 and building the data structure behind the program portfolio review
process.
“Rachel has worked hand in hand with academic deans and faculty governance for over
a decade. She steps into this role not as a newcomer learning our academic programming,
but as someone who has helped shape it.”
In her most recent role, Dr. Lathrop served as OCC’s Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Liaison Officer, led the College’s successful HLC interim review that
removed monitoring status, and oversaw student learning assessment across all credit
programs and general education areas. Prior to this role, she served as Director of
Curriculum & Student Learning and Director of Student Learning Assessment.
During her time at OCC, Lathrop said she has gained a deep understanding of how data-informed
decision-making can shape students’ experiences and support their success.
“I look forward to bringing my insights to this role and supporting Dr. Chapman’s
vision for Academic Affairs,” Dr. Lathrop said. “OCC has given me countless opportunities
to grow professionally while fulfilling my passion for helping others obtain an affordable,
accessible and high-quality education. I’m grateful to continue that work in an expanded
capacity and for the many OCC colleagues who have supported, guided and worked alongside
me throughout my journey here.”
Dr. Lathrop holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a focus in Educational
Leadership from LU Online, where her dissertation examined faculty leaders’ insights on transactional distance
in online courses. She earned a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oakland University. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor in OCC’s Mental Health & Social Work program.
About OCC
Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965.
OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student
success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top
transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while
advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally
recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu