POPPY FITCH, Ed.D.
BIOGRAPHY
CURRENT ROLE
Dr. Poppy Fitch has more than 25 years of experience as a higher education administrator and counselor in San Diego area community college and university settings. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, 504/ADA, and Title IX Coordinator at Ashford University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Equity Council at the institution, Poppy established programs to serve students with disabilities and protocols for student behavioral intervention and sexual misconduct response, and served as the first Chair of the university’s Military and Veteran Student Taskforce. She previously served at Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, supporting students with disabilities.
CAREER FOCUS
As an equity-minded educator, Poppy focuses on institutional responsibility to support outcomes, so that all students are free to reach their fullest potential through the transformative power of education. She is a Gallup Organization trained Strengths Educator and Mentor, and leads an engaged, strengths-focused team. She is also a charter member and adviser to Ashford University’s chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, which recognizes the academic accomplishments of students with disabilities.
PUBLISHING & PRESENTING
Poppy co-authored A Guide to Leadership and Management in Higher Education: Managing Across the Generations, and has presented at numerous regional and national conferences, including the Council of State Governments, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, the College Board, and the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association, on topics related to educational access and equity.
EDUCATION
Poppy earned her doctorate degree in Post-Secondary/Community College Educational Leadership, and her master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Multicultural Counseling, both from San Diego State University. She also earned a certificate in Special Education Advocacy from the University of San Diego. Her dissertation research focused on the success factors for foster youth who have persisted to college degree completion. As a former foster youth herself, Poppy's commitment to educational access and equity is informed by her life experiences.
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Poppy’s service aligns with her deep commitment to serve her community, and her belief in shared responsibility towards more just and equitable experiences for all people, especially those whose voices are not traditionally represented. Since its founding in 2016, she has been involved in the planning and execution of the San Diego Women’s Marches, occurring annually in January and drawing upwards of 40,000 participants, serving as Board Secretary. As an alumnus of San Diego State University, Poppy serves on the Executive Committee for the CBB for Life Foundation, benefiting the University’s Community-Based Block program, which provides multicultural community counseling and social justice education, and prepares graduates to become licensed professional clinical counselors. In 2018, Poppy was appointed to serve on the San Diego Community Review Board on Police Practices, which aims to provide public oversight and evaluation of community-lodged complaints against officers of the San Diego Police Department, review the administration of discipline arising from complaints, and evaluate officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. She has also volunteered with Kids Included Together (KIT), the Jenna Druck Foundation Spirit of Leadership Program, and the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE
On a Sunday, you'll find Poppy designing florals or borrowing little children from her friends, both bringing her joy in equal measure. Poppy's favorite moments have been spent listening to local musicians in a far off city with a dear one by her side. She is (supremely proud) mom to Hannah (20) and Kane (19), enjoys life with her husband Mike, their sweet beagle Ruby and cranky cat Monroe.
Dr. Poppy Fitch has more than 25 years of experience as a higher education administrator and counselor in San Diego area community college and university settings. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, 504/ADA, and Title IX Coordinator at Ashford University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Equity Council at the institution, Poppy established programs to serve students with disabilities and protocols for student behavioral intervention and sexual misconduct response, and served as the first Chair of the university’s Military and Veteran Student Taskforce. She previously served at Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, supporting students with disabilities.
CAREER FOCUS
As an equity-minded educator, Poppy focuses on institutional responsibility to support outcomes, so that all students are free to reach their fullest potential through the transformative power of education. She is a Gallup Organization trained Strengths Educator and Mentor, and leads an engaged, strengths-focused team. She is also a charter member and adviser to Ashford University’s chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, which recognizes the academic accomplishments of students with disabilities.
PUBLISHING & PRESENTING
Poppy co-authored A Guide to Leadership and Management in Higher Education: Managing Across the Generations, and has presented at numerous regional and national conferences, including the Council of State Governments, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, the College Board, and the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association, on topics related to educational access and equity.
EDUCATION
Poppy earned her doctorate degree in Post-Secondary/Community College Educational Leadership, and her master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Multicultural Counseling, both from San Diego State University. She also earned a certificate in Special Education Advocacy from the University of San Diego. Her dissertation research focused on the success factors for foster youth who have persisted to college degree completion. As a former foster youth herself, Poppy's commitment to educational access and equity is informed by her life experiences.
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Poppy’s service aligns with her deep commitment to serve her community, and her belief in shared responsibility towards more just and equitable experiences for all people, especially those whose voices are not traditionally represented. Since its founding in 2016, she has been involved in the planning and execution of the San Diego Women’s Marches, occurring annually in January and drawing upwards of 40,000 participants, serving as Board Secretary. As an alumnus of San Diego State University, Poppy serves on the Executive Committee for the CBB for Life Foundation, benefiting the University’s Community-Based Block program, which provides multicultural community counseling and social justice education, and prepares graduates to become licensed professional clinical counselors. In 2018, Poppy was appointed to serve on the San Diego Community Review Board on Police Practices, which aims to provide public oversight and evaluation of community-lodged complaints against officers of the San Diego Police Department, review the administration of discipline arising from complaints, and evaluate officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. She has also volunteered with Kids Included Together (KIT), the Jenna Druck Foundation Spirit of Leadership Program, and the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE
On a Sunday, you'll find Poppy designing florals or borrowing little children from her friends, both bringing her joy in equal measure. Poppy's favorite moments have been spent listening to local musicians in a far off city with a dear one by her side. She is (supremely proud) mom to Hannah (20) and Kane (19), enjoys life with her husband Mike, their sweet beagle Ruby and cranky cat Monroe.