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Dianne F. Olivier, Ph.D., Professor of Educational Leadership, is the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of Student and Faculty Excellence/Faculty Affairs, at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dr. Olivier oversees the Offices of Global Engagement; Student Success; University Registrar; Student Center for Research, Creativity, and Scholarship; and Service Learning.  

Dr. Olivier also served as the Associate Dean of Administration and Academic Affairs, College of Education, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. As Associate Dean, she collaborated with faculty from all COE Departments/Schools regarding strategic planning, curriculum development and program improvement, and faculty professionalism including tenure, promotion, graduate faculty status, recognition, and scholarship/awards. 

Dr. Olivier has been recognized as a University Eminent Scholar and was awarded the Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the University. She is a two-time recipient of the University Research Excellence Award, a four-time recipient of the University Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award serving as chair for nearly 80 doctoral graduates, and she holds the Joan D. & Alexander S. Haig/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Education.  

Dr. Olivier’s primary research focuses on professional learning communities, educational leadership, the change process, and school culture. Her PLC research has been a collaborative process as a member of a domestic research team (PLC Associates) studying learning communities for almost 30 years, and a member of an international PLC research team (PLC Global Network) examining educational professional learning, leadership, and change processes in K-12 and higher education institutions from a global perspective. She collaborates with doctoral candidates and higher education researchers on a global level, as the 1st author of a professional learning community instrument which has been translated into 14 languages. She has numerous publications relating to her research areas and has served as an international doctoral dissertation examiner at several renown international universities. 

Dr. Olivier’s leadership expertise has been recognized by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) as a Master Trainer in Coaching in which she has led leadership professional development throughout the United States. Prior to joining the UL Lafayette faculty in 2007, she served in public education as a teacher and administrator with district-level leadership for 26 of her 34 years in K-12 education. She holds degrees from UL Lafayette (USL) including Bachelor of Science, Master of Education, Masters+30 in Guidance and Counseling, and Educational Specialist in Administration and her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University. 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Educational Administration (Psychology, Minor), 2001
Louisiana State University

Educational Specialist (Ed S), Administration and Supervision (Psychology Minor), 1980
University of Southwestern Louisiana

Masters +30, Guidance and Counseling, 1978
University of Southwestern Louisiana

Masters of Education, Secondary Education, 1975
University of Southwestern Louisiana

Bachelor of Science, Education, 1972
University of Southwestern Louisiana

• Professional Learning Communities
• Educational Leadership
• Organizational Culture and Climate
• Organizational Change
• Collective Efficacy

Opportunities for Student Research/Collaboration:

Dr. Olivier works collaboratively with doctoral students in the Educational Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. As doctoral chair, she guides doctoral students through their dissertation and research journey. This collaborative practice results in opportunities for research during and after the dissertation process including co-presenting at professional conferences, submission of journal articles, and other professional development activities. Additionally, she encourages the development of undergraduate research opportunities across the College.

• Mayeaux, A. S. & Olivier, D. F. (2020). Expertise in every classroom: Guidelines to bridging the research and practice. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.
• Hagan, A. C., & Olivier, D. F. (2022, Spring/Summer). Women presidents of higher education institutions: A mixed-methods phenomenological study of the relationships between self-efficacy, transformational leadership, gender-based barriers, and support structures. Research Issues in Contemporary Education, Spring/Summer Vol. 7, Issue 3.
• Chen, P., Wang, T., Olivier, D. F., Chiu, S-C. (2021, June). Developing a conceptual framework of readiness for change and its application in educational research. Educational Review, 56, 1-43.
• Mayeaux, A. S., & Olivier, D. F. (2021). Professional kinship using social media tools: Bridging and bonding to develop teacher expertise. Journal of Education, Innovation, and Communication. Communication Institute of Greece.
• Rush, J. S. & Olivier, D. F. (2021). Committed and engaged: A mixed-method phenomenological study of the perceived roles, responsibilities, and contributions of professional support personnel in higher education. Research issues in Contemporary Education, Fall/Winter Vol. 6, n. 1
• Lin, H-C, Zeanah, P. L., Olivier, D. F., Bergeron, M. A., & Liu, C. H. (2021). Responding to the pressing yet unrecognized needs of student-parents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448471.2020.1870474
• Wang, T., Olivier, D. F., & Chen. P. (2020). Creating individual and organizational readiness for change: Conceptualization of system readiness for change in school education. International Journal of Leadership in Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2020.1818131
• Perez, M. P. & Olivier, D. F. (2020, Summer). An examination of university sophomore students’ thriving factors, second-year experiences, and student outcomes. Research Issues in Contemporary Education, Vol. 5, n1, pp. 1-24.

• Eminent Scholar Award-Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award 2020
• Joan D. & Alexander S. Haig/BORSF Professorship in Education (2013-Present)
• Research Excellence Award, College of Education (2019-2020; 2014-2016)
• Outstanding Doctoral Student Mentor Award, College of Education (2019-2020; 2018-2019; 2014-2016; 2013-2014)
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Commencement Speaker-Summer 2020 Graduation
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Board Member