Michelle Giovannozzi serves as the Vice Provost for Academic Strategy, Innovation and Teaching at Portland State University. In this capacity, she functions as the executive bridge between the university’s traditional academic structures and its strategic initiatives. She provides leadership for holistic faculty support, high-impact pedagogical practices, and the development of forward-thinking academic programs designed to support the success of 21st-century learners.
As Vice Provost, Michelle oversees university-wide portfolios focused on market-responsive academic roadmaps, leads non-credit programs, and advances vital institutional sustainability initiatives. Her responsibilities include providing leadership for educational technology, digital accessibility, and artificial intelligence strategy. She partners with other university leaders to expand access for non-traditional students and develop alternative models and credentials that advance academic learning and professional and talent development.
Michelle has been with Portland State University since 2016, contributing campus-wide leadership across multiple roles. Prior to her current appointment, she served as the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation. In that role, she directed digital learning, academic technology, instructional design, faculty development, and emerging education models. Earlier in her tenure, she served as the Director of the Center for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE), where she managed center operations, business development, marketing, and the delivery of public and custom professional education programs. Before joining PSU, Michelle served in a number of roles at the intersection of higher education, workforce, and economic development.
Michelle’s community leadership experience includes serving as an elected school board director and president for Vancouver Public Schools. She has also held board and leadership roles with Leadership Clark County, the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools, the Citizens Committee for Good Schools, and the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee.
Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in French Literature and European Cultural Studies from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration in Organizational Development from Seattle Pacific University. She also completed a fellowship with the Georgetown-ASU Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership.