The University of La Verne welcomed new Interim Provost Laura Hartley on Oct. 1.
Hartley will serve as interim provost for this academic year while the University is searching for a permanent provost.
Hartley previously served as provost at Seattle Pacific University and has worked in various roles in higher education for 25 years.
Before her position at Seattle Pacific University, Hartley was the associate provost and dean of arts and sciences before that at George Fox University.
Hartley studied interdisciplinary studies at Wheaton College and linguistics at Michigan State University.
“I think it’s helpful to know that I am here at La Verne this year as a one-year appointment in this interim provost role, I call it an intentional interim,” Hartley said. “Which means I am coming from the outside with experience already in this role to help the institution with a number of key concerns while the institution searches for their next permanent provost.”
Hartley is excited to contribute to ULV academics and work closely with Interim President Risa Dickson on a number of key priorities. Hartley said that these priorities include taking leadership on the process of thinking about the chief diversity officer position.
With this Hartley said she is considering the concerns of staff, faculty and students in regards to what they want in a new diversity, equity and inclusion officer and making recommendations to President Dickson. The University’s previous vice president in the DEI position Aleandra Burrell resigned toward the start of the fall semester.
Another project that Hartley is managing is hiring additional personnel including a permanent dean for the College of Health.
With the program still being new Hartley is prioritizing this project to help secure a more permanent leadership to help the college move forward.
Another key project that Hartley is focusing on is the gathering of institutional data that helps the University determine the strength of the academic programs, and what may need to change to continue serving students in the best way possible.
Continuous change and turnover has caused much chaos for ULV students, staff and faculty. Hartley recognizes the importance of keeping an open line of communication between the administration, faculty and students.
Hartley plans to support that by introducing conversations of shared governance and creating a strong foundation for the next president and provost to continue.
“I’ll be working on reengaging those conversations, so that we have a better opportunity to really hear from students in an organized way,” Hartley said. “That is a really important process and goal and definitely something I’ll be working on as I move through this year.”
—April Cambero
April Cambero is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is the Fall 2024 editor-in-chief for the Campus Times and has also served as social media editor and staff writer.
