Colby-Sawyer College Announces Interim Academic Vice President

by Marketing & Communications
May. 5, 2016

Associate Professor and Chair of the Environmental Studies Department at Colby-Sawyer College, Laura Alexander, Ph.D., has accepted the position of Interim Academic Vice President for 2016-2017, effective July 1.

Dr. Alexander came to Colby-Sawyer in 1993 and was director of the Hogan Sports Center until 2006. She joined the faculty in 2001 and transitioned to a full-time tenure-track role in Environmental Studies in 2004. Dr. Alexander’s research focuses on the flora of New London with other areas of her expertise including the history and issues facing the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

During her tenure at Colby-Sawyer, Dr. Alexander has held numerous leadership roles. In addition to chairing the Environmental Studies Department, she is chair of the Faculty Personnel Committee. Her participation on other committees is extensive and includes: Presidential Search Committee, Teaching Advisory Committee, Distance Advisory Committee, Executive Committee and Academic Council.

In an email announcement to students, faculty and staff, President-elect Susan D. Stuebner, Ed.D., whose role as the ninth president of Colby-Sawyer College begins July 1, shared her thanks with the candidates and the search committee, as well as the community for their participation in open presentations and for providing crucial feedback. “Dr. Alexander’s combination of academic and administrative experiences, her collaborative leadership style and her vision for the interim role stood out among the candidates,” said President-elect Stubner. “I look forward to partnering with her, the senior leadership team, and all of you to build on the foundation that exists, clarify our priorities and pursue a path forward for the incredible teaching and learning that happens at Colby-Sawyer.”

Dr. Alexander earned a B.S. at Colby-Sawyer and an M.S. and Ph.D. in environmental studies from Antioch University New England. She was the 2009 recipient of the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, Colby-Sawyer’s highest recognition for faculty. In 2015, she was named the New Hampshire Environmental Educator of the Year in the Higher Education/Non-formal category by New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE).

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with faculty and staff to assess our goals and academic priorities,” said Dr. Alexander. “I look forward to partnering with our incoming president, Dr. Susan Stuebner, and my colleagues to create a shared vision of objectives and actions for the coming year.”

Dr. Alexander will succeed Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty Deborah A. Taylor, Ph.D, who will retire in June after 40 years at Colby-Sawyer.