Diane Issa-Nauffal, Ph.D.
Phone: 961-1-786456 Ext. 1232
E-mail: diane.nauffal@lau.edu.lb

As the Assistant to the President for Institutional Research & Assessment and an Associate Professor of Education, Dr. Diane Nauffal combines academic and practical expertise to drive institutional advancement. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Birmingham, UK, and a BS in Mathematics and an MA in Mathematics Education from the American University of Beirut. This dual foundation in education and mathematics enables her to conduct impactful decision-support research.

Under Dr. Nauffal’s leadership, the Department of Institutional Research & Assessment (DIRA) plays a pivotal role in LAU’s growth. The department directs critical research and analysis efforts that support strategic planning, policy formulation, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness. By transforming data into strategic insights, DIRA drives improvements in institutional performance, enhances student outcomes, and ensures that all initiatives align with LAU’s commitment to continuous progress and academic excellence.

Dr. Nauffal’s research focuses on educational leadership, management, and policy, with a particular emphasis on higher education systems. She investigates complex issues such as organizational dynamics, strategic development, and the drivers of student development. In 2017, she conducted a pioneering study on the economic impact of LAU on the national economy, marking the first research of its kind in the Middle East.

Dr. Nauffal has shaped educational policy and governance in Lebanon. As an active member of the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) team, she has influenced policy development at both national and institutional levels. Her work on the Higher Education Policy Committee, the Quality Assurance Committee of the University Association of Universities in Lebanon (UAOLB), and the National Taskforce for University Governance demonstrates her commitment to enhancing higher education standards. Her involvement in the 2023 review of Lebanon’s 5-year Higher Education Strategic Plan, along with her role in drafting quality assurance legislation in 2010, highlights her substantial impact on university governance.

Dr. Nauffal is a dedicated advocate for higher education reform, with active roles in several professional organizations. Internationally, she is recognized for her expertise in institutional research, having served as president of the Middle East and North Africa Association for Institutional Research (MENA-AIR) from 2015 to 2020 and as a member of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) in the USA since 2007. She is also a member of the Lebanese Association for Educational Studies (LAES), where she served as president from 2012 to 2014.