Mitzi Lauderdale, J.D., Ph.D., CFP

Mitzi Lauderdale serves as vice provost for Academic Innovation and Student Success at Texas Tech University. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for institution-wide student success and academic innovation initiatives, overseeing a broad portfolio that supports students from matriculation through completion. Her areas of responsibility include academic advising, career services, undergraduate research and experiential learning, learning support, student success technologies and institution-wide student success initiatives. She leads cross-functional initiatives focused on strategic enrollment planning, institutional transformation and the implementation of technology-enabled solutions, including Raider Success Hub, predictive analytics and other innovative tools that advance student success and improve institutional outcomes. She also serves the state of Texas through leadership with the Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers and statewide initiatives supporting transfer student success, including the Texas Transfer Advisory Committee.

As an associate professor in the School of Personal Financial Planning, Lauderdale teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in personal financial planning and estate planning. She has received numerous teaching honors, including the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Professor Award, the Texas Tech President's Excellence in Teaching Award and induction into the Texas Tech Teaching Academy, where she has also served on the executive council.

Lauderdale's scholarship spans personal financial planning and higher education. She has secured external grant funding to support institutional transformation and innovative student success initiatives, in addition to funding for her research. Her publications include an estate planning textbook, book chapters on special needs financial planning and strategic enrollment planning and numerous peer-reviewed articles related to estate planning, special needs financial planning, philanthropy and student success and attainment in higher education. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and a member of the State Bar of Texas.

Lauderdale earned a doctorate in personal financial planning from Kansas State University, a Juris Doctor from the Texas Tech University School of Law, a master’s in personal financial planning and a bachelor’s in restaurant, hotel and institutional management from Texas Tech.