Melissa Morriss-Olson, Ph.D.

Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson is a distinguished leader in higher education, with over 35 years of experience shaping innovation and fostering institutional excellence. As the Chief Executive Officer of The American University of Greece Global Campus (AUGGC), she drives the strategic vision for the institution, leveraging her deep expertise in academic program development, strategic leadership, and enrollment management to build a forward-thinking online learning platform.

In addition to her leadership at AUGGC, Dr. Morriss-Olson is a Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership at Bay Path University, where she founded the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and the Center for Higher Education Leadership and Innovative Practice. Her impact at Bay Path is profound—during her tenure as Provost, she launched over 40 innovative academic programs and secured more than $6 million in grant funding to support institutional growth and transformation.

A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Morriss-Olson has led initiatives that prioritize equitable academic environments, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive. She is also the visionary behind the IngenioUs podcast, where she interviews leaders across sectors to explore bold ideas and new models for navigating the complexities of higher education today.

Dr. Morriss-Olson is the author of several influential works, including her latest book, Ingenious Leadership: Creating Solutions to Wicked Problems in Higher Education. Her thought leadership has helped shape the future of higher education, and she continues to inspire others with her innovative approaches to tackling the most pressing challenges in the field.

She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago and has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University.