Dr. Michelle Fischthal is Vice Chancellor of Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness at the San Diego Community College District, where she leads districtwide work in institutional effectiveness and research, strategic planning, accreditation, data governance, institutional innovation and emerging technology.

Her work focuses on helping institutions translate emerging technologies and data into practical strategies that improve student success and organizational effectiveness. She has led districtwide initiatives in artificial intelligence, responsible technology adoption, enterprise data governance, and institutional transformation, while building collaborative structures that bring faculty, staff, administrators, and students into the work.

Dr. Fischthal previously held leadership roles in instructional services, business and technology education and online education, and brings experience from both higher education and the corporate sector. She holds a Doctor of Business Administration and a master’s degree in higher education leadership.