Dr. Susan C. Puryear has worked in higher education for over 15 years, predominantly in the research administration and development areas in senior leadership positions. Having graduated in 2024 with her Ed.D. degree in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Puryear is currently an Executive Search Consultant with AGB Search and is also working as an independent consultant in the field of higher education.
Dr. Puryear was the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration, Integrity and Development at the University of Massachusetts Lowell having worked with the institution for almost seven years. In this role she supported research development initiatives and oversaw administrative resources to support and increase research productivity across the campus. Prior to joining UMass Lowell, she was the Director of Sponsored Programs and Research at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts for eight years.
A graduate of Yale University with a BA degree in history (1992), Dr. Puryear later earned her Ed.M. degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education (1996), and a JD degree from Stanford Law School (2003) prior to earning her EdD from the University of Pennsylvania (2024).
Prior to joining Clark University in 2008, Dr. Puryear provided consulting services to non-profit and for-profit organizations including higher education institutions in the areas of entrepreneurship and business development, program design and development, fundraising and development, and research and education.
Dr. Puryear is a member of the State Bar of California; is an active member of The Links, Incorporated; and is co-author of the report, “School Choice: Abundant Hopes, Scarce Evidence of Results,” published by Stanford University’s Policy Analysis for California Education.
Dr. Puryear resides in Lexington, MA and has two daughters, Mykah, a recent graduate of Yale University teaching elementary school in Seattle, WA, and Tyla, currently attending Wellesley College.
