William G. Tierney

Who is William G. Tierney?

William G. Tierney is an American scholar of higher education. He earned a master’s degree from Harvard University and holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University in administration and policy analysis. He has had Fulbright Fellowships Scholarships to Latin America and Australia. He also was Scholar-in-Residence at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Tierney served as president of the Association for the Study of Higher Education Link label from 2001-2002 and as president of the American Educational Research Association Link label from 2012-2013. He is currently University Professor, Wilbur-Kieffer Professor of Higher Education and Co-Director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education Link label at the University of Southern California Link label.

Under Tierney's direction, the Pullias Center serves as an interdisciplinary center for research, evaluation, information, policy studies, and research training in postsecondary education. The center is involved with USC’s Game Lab in creating a suite of interactive web-based games for teenagers that enable them to develop successful strategies for applying to college. Tierney and the Pullias Center are housed in the Rossier School of Education.