Elizabeth Ross, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Human Resources at Pellissippi State Community College, where she provides strategic leadership for HR operations, employee engagement, and organizational development. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education and private sector leadership, Dr. Ross is recognized for building high-performing teams, advancing collegewide process improvements, and designing people-centered strategies that strengthen institutional culture and support student and employee success.
Dr. Ross leads major initiatives, including workforce planning, leadership development programs, employee engagement strategies, and collegewide training academies. She oversees key functions such as talent acquisition, performance management, policy development, employee relations, and strategic communications. Her work is consistently grounded in data-informed decision making, cross-functional collaboration, and a deep commitment to access and organizational agility.
A respected consultant and thought partner, Dr. Ross regularly advises community colleges, statewide systems, and national CUPA-HR audiences on HR modernization, leadership development, compliance strategy, and building cultures of excellence. She serves as a trusted guide to presidents, executive teams, CHROs, and institutional leaders navigating complex organizational challenges, and is known for her ability to empower leaders by meeting them where they are and equipping them with the tools to make sound, logical, compliant, and people-centered decisions.
Her research focuses on women community college presidents recognized for achieving equitable outcomes for underrepresented students, with emphasis on transformational leadership and narrative inquiry. She holds a Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University.
Driven by a heart for people, a trainer’s mindset, and a passion for developing leaders, Dr. Ross is committed to strengthening higher education through strategic excellence, inclusive leadership, and innovative HR solutions.