Dr. Allison Barber
Chancellor, WGU Indiana
Dr. Allison Barber is the chancellor of WGU Indiana, the state’s online, competency-based university. She champions college attainment for working Hoosiers who have some college but have not yet earned a degree. WGU Indiana also offers advanced degrees in business, education, health profession and technology. An Indiana native, Allison’s portfolio includes more than 25 years of experience in education and public service. Prior to her position at WGU Indiana, Allison was the president of her own communication firm in the Washington, D.C. area. She was also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. Allison spent more than seven years at the Department of Defense serving as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. She also worked at the White House during the early stages of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Earlier experience: Allison was President of the Washington D.C. office of PlowShare, advertising agency. Before that, she was Public Relations Director for the American Red Cross. Allison began her career as a grade school teacher at Merrillville Public Schools in Indiana and served as Vice President of the Teachers Association.
Allison currently serves: The American Red Cross as the Indiana state volunteer leader. Allison also serves on the boards of: Indiana Chamber of Commerce, TechPoint, and the Elizabeth Dole Military Caregivers Foundation. She serves on the Advisory Councils for the Indiana State Fair, YMCA and Pentagon Federal Credit Union. In 2015, Governor Mike Pence appointed her to Indiana’s State Workforce Innovation Council.
Education: Allison holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Tennessee Temple University; a M.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University; and a Ph.D. In Leadership from Tennessee Temple University.
Awards: Allison was recognized a Woman of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal and is the recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service awarded by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.