Carrie Zelna

Bio

Dr. Carrie Zelna earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from NC State University.  During her 24-year career in higher education, she has worked in University Housing, Student Conduct, and Assessment. She co-founded the national Student Affairs Assessment Leader (SAAL) organization and co-led the NASPA Assessment Knowledge Community for two years.  She has presented extensively on academic and student affairs assessment. She has also published articles and authored a book on assessing student affairs. She is currently on the graduate faculty at NC State University. She teaches in the Higher Education program on Assessment, Program Evaluation, and Strategic Planning as well as participates in student doctoral committees.  Dr. Zelna also serves as an occasional reviewer for multiple higher education journals.

In 2014 she accepted the role of associate vice chancellor for academic success at NC State.  Dr. Zelna works with 12 pathways and collegiate success programs in DASA. Through Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Juntos, and the College Advising Corps, thousands of middle and high school students have opportunities for supplemental education and guidance in order to better prepare them for the process of applying for and transitioning to college. The collegiate success program areas offer assistance in building the foundation needed to be successful in the first year and beyond. Through first-year transition support from the New Student Orientation and Summer Start programs, and on-going first-year support from New Student Programs, Student Support Services, Student Support Services-STEM, Academic Success Center, and the Disability Resource Office, students are afforded access and opportunities to thrive academically as well as personally as they pursue their degree.  In addition to her role as AVC, Dr. Zelna still serves as the Director of the DASA Office of Assessment. The DASA Office of Assessment works with all 39 DASA units, 110 undergraduate academic programs, General Education, and the SACS QEP to gather, analyze, and ultimately use data to make informed decisions.