Lori Garrison earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from University of Texas in 1983. She spent her professional career in information systems and communications technology. Initially, she worked in software startups, including Network Applications Inc and Software Research Corp, developing early inter-computer communications solutions. The bulk of her career was spent leading development and support teams within MCI, CompuCom and Metasolv Solutions (which later became part of Oracle).
For more than a decade, Garrison has served as a director for the W A Brookshire Foundation, assuming the role of president in 2017. The Brookshire Foundation’s longstanding philanthropic support of LSU started with establishing scholarships for working students and awards for teaching excellence in the College of Engineering, for which Garrison serves on the
Dean’s Advisory Council. In 2023, the foundation committed the
university’s largest ever immediate-impact donation for scholarships. Among other initiatives on campus, the foundation has made leadership gifts to the
LSU William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center, which is dedicated to helping veterans, service members, dependents and survivors succeed in higher education, and to establish the
new William A. Brookshire LSU Military Museum. Ensuring student success both during their tenure at LSU and upon entry into their professional careers is the focus of Garrison's efforts.