New Student Life vice president’s credentials speak for themselves
By Ashley Ford—
Staff Writer
Revised on June 11 at 3:22 p.m.
Tarleton State University has gone without a Vice President of Student Life since Nov. of 2014, after the previous vice president, Rusty Jergins, disaffiliated with the Texas A&M System. The position was temporarily filled by the director of career services, Darla Doty, until now.
Beginning July 20, Dr. Laura Boren will hold the Vice President of Student Life position here at Tarleton State University.
Photo Courtesy of Tarleton Press Release
According to Boren’s application, she most recently held the Vice President position of Student Affairs at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her past position included involvement with Admissions and Recruitment, Career Services, Fitness Center, Northeastern Student Government Association, Student Activities, Student Affairs – Branch Campuses, Student Disability Services, Student Counseling Services, Student Financial Services, Student Health Services, Student Rights and Responsibilities, TRiO Programs – Education Talent Search and Student Support Services, University Advising, University Center and University Housing. Boren received her Bachelor’s degree in Meetings and Destination Management from Northeastern State University, Masters in College Student Personnel Services from Northeastern State University, and her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University.
Coming from Northeastern State, an institution of approximately 9,600 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, Boren is familiar with a university that is similar in size to Tarleton. She is also familiar with the Texas A&M system, because she served as Assistant to Executive Vice President/Dean of Student Life at Texas A&M University in College Station.
“TAMU was the place where I gained an appreciation for and value in colleagues, team work, and high standards. NSU has been the place where I developed my passion for students, leadership, and service,” Boren stated on her application.
Boren made many accomplishments while serving as Vice President of Student Affairs in: Institution Leadership, Strategic Planning and Budgeting, Student Recruitment and Persistence, Emergency and Crisis Response, Health and Wellness, and Civic Engagement.
She also said on her application, “My 18 years in higher education has been a journey that started out as a desire to work with students at my alma mater and turned into a passion for leading an institution in providing access and opportunity for students to succeed.”
Along with her passion, Boren has numerous awards, honors, and memberships on the university and national level. She was also selected to serve on multiple university committees, from athletics and homecoming to university policy, budget, and more. With much involvement within the university, Boren also contributes to the community as a spokeswoman for Habitat for Humanity in the Tahlequah area, board president for Foundation for Fit Future, and past-president for American Association of University Women.
After Tarleton narrowed-down its finalists in April for the Vice President of Student Life position to three candidates, the appointment was finally approved by The Texas A&M System Board of Regents on Wednesday, May 27.
“We are delighted to have such an experienced and professional leader in student development join the Tarleton leadership team,” said President F. Dominic Dottavio for a recent press release. “Dr. Boren’s leadership and involvement in strategic enrollment management and student success and her commitment to student-focused service standards complement our ongoing initiatives and values at Tarleton.”
Texan News Service asked for a statement from Boren, but there was no response.
