College of Arts and Sciences Welcomes New Senior Assistant Dean

University of Cincinnati alumna Lisa A. Holstrom returned to the university to begin serving as the senior assistant dean of Academic Services for McMicken College of Arts and Sciences. 

Holstrom began her new position with more than 15 years of experience in data-driven enrollment management, including developing online programs that respond to market demands. As the senior assistant dean, Holstrom will be responsible for driving the college’s recruitment efforts along with overall leadership of the undergraduate advising team.

She has a background in liberal arts education and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from DePauw University, a master’s degree in Spanish from Kent State University and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from UC in 1998. 

In addition to being an alumna, Holstrom has more than a decade of service to the University of Cincinnati. During her time at the university, Holstrom has served a variety of positions. But, she is returning to UC after serving as the managing director for Academic Partnerships, a company that supports universities committed to implementing online learning programs. 

While working at UC, Holstrom was the director of transfer and lifelong learning in the university’s admissions office. Holstrom has also served as assistant dean for enrollment management in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services. And she was the director of the Early Childhood Learning Community.

In 2008, she received the University of Cincinnati’s Faculty Award for Established Entrepreneur and is the only faculty member to receive the award for academic entrepreneurialism. In addition, Holstrom has received the Sylvia Tucker Award for Outstanding Leadership from the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services.

Throughout her career, she has been awarded around $6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been widely published in a number of publications including:  Cases on Critical and Qualitative Perspectives in Online Higher Education, Exchange, Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks and Head Start Bulletin.