Elizabeth M. Higgins, EdD

Beth Higgins has been working in the field of advising for 30 years with prior experience in Summer Session, Financial Aid, Student Development, and Orientation. Dr. Higgins has experience with faculty and primary role advisor development, leading through change, building advising programs, creating and maintaining advising assessment initiatives, and maximizing collaborative efforts. She is also an experienced facilitator and has presented topics related to organizational change, advising approaches, advising relationships, assessment, process improvement, and the pillars of academic advising.

As the former Director of Academic Advising and Executive Director of Student Success at the University of Southern Maine, Beth was directly responsible for the institution’s dual advising program as well as strategic retention and persistence initiatives. Beth also provided managerial oversight for the departments of prior learning, disability services, learning assistance, and veteran services as part of her leadership role. Currently Beth is a national consultant and part-time faculty member in the Adult and Higher Education graduate program.

Dr. Higgins has been active in NACADA at the regional and national levels. She has served as a member of the NACADA Board of Directors, Chair of the Commission for Undecided and Exploratory Students and has been a member of the Commission and Interest Group Steering Committee.  Beth has facilitated national and regional presentations as well as professional development opportunities at the state level.  Beth’s publications have contributed to the NACADA Academic Advising Administration book, NACADA Journal, NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources, Academic Advising Today, and the NACADA Advising Administration Monograph.  She is also a recipient of the NACADA Academic Advising Administrator Outstanding Advising Award.

Beth is also a Reiki Master, Global Career Development Facilitator, LEAN Continuous Improvement Practitioner, and holds certificates in Mediation and MBTI Step I and II.