Biography

Dr. Michelle Fischthal is the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness at the San Diego Community College District, where she leads strategic planning, institutional research, accreditation, data governance, and the integration of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and extended reality, for nearly 80,000 students. She launched SDCCD’s multi-college AI initiative, advancing faculty-driven professional development, equity-centered governance, and partnerships with San Diego State University and UC San Diego to expand AI literacy and workforce preparation.

With a career spanning roles as Vice President of Instruction and Dean of both Institutional Effectiveness and Business and Information Technology and Online Instruction, Michelle is known for connecting strategy with practice and bringing people together to solve complex challenges. In addition to her district leadership, she also offers coaching to support leaders and teams in navigating change, fostering innovation, and creating inclusive, equity-informed practices.