Laura Barnard

Lakeland has namedLaura C. Barnard, Esq.of Shaker Heights as executive vice president and provost effective July 1.

Dr. Barnard came to Lakeland in 1993 as a full-time faculty member. She currently serves as professor and paralegal program director. She previously served as associate provost for retention and completion, dean of applied studies, and dean of business and information technologies at Lakeland.

“Dr. Barnard is an experienced faculty member with an impressive history of service and leadership, and a broad range of expertise,” said Lakeland President Morris W. Beverage Jr. “Her demonstrated commitment to student success and her outstanding vision for the future of the college will be instrumental as Lakeland approaches its second half century of impacting lives through learning.”

In her new role as executive vice president and provost, Dr. Barnard will provide strategic leadership to the academic divisions and departments of the college, including Applied Studies, Arts and Sciences, Enrollment Management, Retention and Completion, and Academic Technologies.

She will provide leadership for policies, curricula and support services to increase student success; innovative enrollment management solutions including College Credit Plus and an honors program; institutional and programmatic reviews including accreditation through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP); and the development of new academic programs to meet student and employer needs.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have spent the majority of my career at Lakeland, and I welcome this opportunity to be a key player in moving the institution forward,” said Dr. Barnard.

As associate provost for retention and completion from May 2014 to May 2016, Dr. Barnard was responsible for overseeing student success programming and support services including the Learning Center and the First Year Experience course in addition to taking a lead role on AQIP action projects directly impacting completion and retention.

As the dean of applied studies from January 2015 to May 2016, she provided administrative leadership for a range of technical certificate and degree programs as well as continuing education and workforce development. She also provided oversight for the hiring and evaluation of faculty and staff, managed within the collective bargaining agreement, ensured equitable allocation of resources, and sought external funding for programs.

She holds a juris doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law and a liberal arts degree in French history with a specialization in French language from Mount Holyoke College.

Dr. Barnard was one of three finalists for the position, after a national search assisted by Academic Search, Inc. which drew 52 applicants.

By: Jessica Novak, Office of Marketing and Communications