Dr. Alison Wrynn
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Dr. Alison Wrynn was appointed senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs by Chancellor Jay A. Perman in December 2022. In this position she provides critical leadership and support to deliver on the USM’s academic and student services mission, serving as a strategic resource to the Chancellor and his executive team, USM presidents, academic and student affairs leaders, faculty, staff, and students to deliver innovative programs supporting the system’s strategic plan, “Vision 2030: From Excellence to Preeminence.”
As senior vice chancellor, Dr. Wrynn’s responsibilities also include leadership and collaboration with the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, as well as direction for ARTSYS (the state’s transfer-credits platform). Dr. Wrynn also serves as lead staff to the Board of Regents Committee on Education Policy and Student Life and supports other committees and workgroups. Additionally, she leads USM efforts in academic transformation, strengthening the P-20 pipeline, and affordability.
Dr. Wrynn has been in higher education—as a faculty member and an administrator—for nearly 25 years. Prior to joining the USM, she served as associate vice chancellor for academic programs, innovations, and faculty development in the California State University (CSU) chancellor’s office. The CSU system is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse, with 23 institutions, 56,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 480,000 students. At CSU, Dr. Wrynn was responsible for supporting transfer initiatives in partnership with California’s Community Colleges, providing CSU faculty with access to robust professional development opportunities, and driving innovative pedagogy across the system.
Dr. Wrynn earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts before receiving her master’s degree—also in physical education—form CSU, Long Beach. She holds a Ph.D. in. Human Biodynamics, History of Physical Education & Sport, from the University of California, Berkeley.
