Washington and Lee Names New Associate Dean of the Williams School Elizabeth Oliver will assume the role of associate dean beginning July 1.

By Drewry Sackett
June 1, 2018

Elizabeth Oliver, the Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Accounting and department chair at Washington and Lee University, is the new associate dean of the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, beginning July 1. She succeeds Timothy Diette, who has held that post since 2017. Diette has been named senior advisor to the president for strategic analysis, also effective July 1.

Oliver joined the Williams School faculty in 1991. She holds an A.B. from Mary Baldwin College, an M.A. in English from the University of Kansas, an M.S. in accounting from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.

She previously served as associate dean of the Williams School from 1998-2003. She has served since 2003 as head of the Accounting Department, teaching courses in accounting research and corporate social responsibility, and launching and coordinating the W&L London Internship Program. She serves as a faculty advisor to Washington and Lee Student Consulting, and helps oversee the group’s pro bono work with businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Oliver has served in a number of key university roles during her time at W&L, including terms on the President’s Advisory Committee, the Student Affairs Committee, the Faculty Executive Committee as interim chair, and various search committees and strategic planning groups. She currently serves as chair of W&L’s Benefits Committee.

Outside of her work at W&L, Oliver is a member of the editorial board of Business Horizons and serves as the president-elect of the American Accounting Association’s Accounting Program Leadership Group (APLG). In the community, she has served as treasurer of the Friends of Rockbridge Choral Society and chair of the Finance Committee of Grace Episcopal Church.

Oliver assumes her new role on the heels of the Board of Trustees’ recent approval of a new strategic plan for the university. “This is a particularly exciting time to come into the associate dean’s position,” she said. “I am delighted to continue working with my wonderful colleagues in the Williams School and look forward to collaborating more broadly across the university.”

In addition to advising the dean on a variety of matters, the associate dean of the Williams School focuses on operations and accreditation. The associate dean also represents the Williams School on a number of university committees and works closely with the dean and faculty of the Williams School on curriculum and program development.

“Elizabeth brings significant experience from her previous tenure as associate dean, her 15 years as the department head of accounting, and from her experience with accreditation and the broader activities of the Williams School,” said Rob Straughan, Crawford Family Dean of the Williams School. “She is an accomplished scholar, working most recently on topics related to workplace culture and performance appraisal, and a strong advocate for liberal arts and experiential learning. I’m excited to welcome Elizabeth back to the associate dean’s position.”