Public Administration & Emergency Management | Community & Workforce Strategy | Mentorship & Learning Environments
Alyssa L. Provencio-Ciszewicz, Ph.D. (Dr. P) is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and Director of Downtown Strategy and Community Partnerships for LX Studio, where she leads initiatives that connect the university’s academic mission with the civic, business, and workforce ecosystem of Oklahoma City. In this role, Dr. P develops strategic partnerships and advances programming that strengthens UCO’s downtown presence while creating pathways between students, faculty, and community stakeholders.
Originally from Derby, Kansas, she holds degrees from Oklahoma State University, the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, and Kansas State University.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. P is a (very average) triathlete, scuba diver, and outdoor enthusiast who also enjoys home renovation and baking. She lives in rural Oklahoma with her husband, Tom, and their menagerie of cats and dogs.
Her academic work centers on public administration, with particular expertise in representation and emergency management. She studies how public institutions serve underrepresented populations using an intersectional framework grounded in feminist scholarship, organizational theory, and climate justice. Her research and teaching extend to questions of consensus building, community empowerment, and transparency in public systems. Alongside this primary focus, she also examines mentorship practices, evidence-based student success strategies, and inclusive learning environments.
Across her career at UCO, Dr. P has consistently translated ideas into practice through leadership roles including Academic Affairs Equity Advocate, Faculty Senate President, Leadership Minor Director, and MPA Co-Coordinator. She also directs the Disaster Management Graduate Certificate program and coordinates undergraduate internships in Political Science, with a focus on preparing students for applied, real-world engagement.
Her commitment to public service extends beyond the university through board and governance roles, including service on the City of Edmond System of Care Governance Team, the OKC Beautiful Board of Directors, the Shelter Share Advisory Board, and as a Trustee for Oklahoma Humanities. Her professional background also includes work with national nonprofit organizations such as the Clinton Foundation, and her commitment to emergency management is shaped by her experience in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
