Allison Garrett

Allison Dabbs Garrett, J.D. (born 1964) is an American educator and the current president of Emporia State University. Previously, Garrett served as Abilene Christian University's executive vice president, a position she held from August 20, 2012 to December 23, 2015. Before her current position, Garrett held several vice president positions in both education and corporate jobs.

Education

Born and raised in Neosho, Missouri, Garrett graduated from Oklahoma Christian College as an English major in 1984, as well as the University of Tulsa's College of Law in 1987 for her Doctor of Jurisprudence. Her Master of Laws degree came from the Georgetown University's Law Center in 1992.

Career

Early and pre-education career

While attending Georgetown Law, Garrett worked at U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1988 to 1991 as a staff attorney. In 1994, Garrett moved to Bentonville, Arkansas to work for Walmart Stores, Inc. on the general counsel and eventually working her way to a vice president position from 2003 to 2004.

Education

After spending a decade with Walmart, Garrett moved to Montgomery, Alabama to serve as an assistant professor of law at Faulkner University's Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. Three years later in April 2007, Garrett was named Oklahoma Christian University's senior vice president in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While at Oklahoma Christian, Garrett oversaw the colleges, the school's library, the Honors program, and various other programs.

On August 20, 2012, Garrett began her three-and-a-half year term at Abilene Christian University. While at ACU, Garrett oversaw the financial operations, enrollment, marketing, as well as the university's facilities. Garrett also worked with academics, advancement and athletics, as well as chairing several university committees. On October 22, 2015, Garrett was named Emporia State University's 17th president. She began her work as ESU's president in January 2016.