La Verne Appoints New Dean for College of Arts and Sciences

The University of La Verne appointed Dr. Lawrence T. Potter, Jr. to the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, a move that becomes effective Aug. 10.

Dr. Potter brings nearly 20 years’ experience as an educator to La Verne, having served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles at private and public institutions throughout his career.

“Dr. Potter’s wealth of knowledge both as a scholar and leader will be an asset to the University of La Verne,” said President Devorah Lieberman. “His entrepreneurial approach and collaborative style will enhance the educational experiences of our students as he supports faculty and staff. We look forward to his furthering the La Verne Experience, collaborating across the colleges and the Regional and Online Campuses, and implementing our 2020 Strategic Vision.”

Provost Jonathan Reed noted that Dr. Potter was the right choice to lead the College of Arts and Sciences.

“Along with an impressive set of skills and credentials, the search committee recognized that Dr. Potter would be an excellent fit for the University given his commitment to serving first-generation students from diverse populations, along with his unwavering support for faculty development, consensus building, transparency and fairness,” said Provost Jonathan Reed.

He most recently held the position of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Jackson State University in Mississippi. Dr. Potter was responsible for 300 faculty and staff, along with approximately 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students. He led many faculty-focused initiatives such as recruitment, retention and development, while enhancing student learning outcomes and developing quality online learning opportunities.

Dr. Potter previously served as associate dean and chief diversity officer at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and rose through the faculty ranks as a scholar of English and African-American literature at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and Western Michigan University.

A champion of diversity and inclusivity initiatives, Dr. Potter developed the Center for Intercultural Advancement and Student Success, the Diversity Scholar-in-Residence, and the Council on Diversity and Equity, and supervised the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, among other programs, at Allegheny.

College of Law Dean Gilbert Holmes, who co-chaired the search committee, said Dr. Potter’s curricular and co-curricular ideas will be invaluable to the University.

“Dr. Potter is an academic visionary whose ideas related to diversity and student success go to the heart of the University of La Verne’s core values,” Holmes said. “We are fortunate to be bringing on board such a seasoned professional whose ideals mesh with ours.”

At Allegheny and Western Michigan, Dr. Potter developed several programs with components similar to the La Verne Experience. At Western Michigan, the “Get Connected Program” engaged first-year minority students in a common learning experience, leading to retention success between freshman-to-sophomore enrollment years. He created “ACCESS ALLegheny,” a series of workshops on academic expectations, social acclimation, peer mentoring and academic support resources, along with “NAVI-GATORS,” a first-year peer mentor program focusing on underrepresented populations and international students.

Dr. Potter directed the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program and was named an American Council on Education Fellow for 2009-2010.

He has published a number of articles in the Encyclopedia of African-American Literature and other publications, including “Brother to Brother: Collected Writings by Black Gay Men,” “Invisible Life” and “Literary Authenticity: Life, Reality and Experience as Reflected in Black Literature.” He has served as speaker and panelist for a number of national organizations including the American Association of Colleges & Universities and the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education.

Dr. Potter graduated magna cum laude with a triple major in English, philosophy, and religion from Stillman College and earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Potter said he was humbled and honored to be joining the University of La Verne as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“La Verne is a hidden gem—it has an exceptional faculty, students who are engaged and curious, a very skilled staff, a dynamic and passionate leadership team, and a strategic vision that will guide it to the next level of excellence,” he said. “That’s a fabulous place to start. But there is also work to be done and I look forward to working with the CAS faculty and staff, Provost’s Council, and the leadership team to providing access for all deserving students who want to be part of a transformative liberal arts and science education and the La Verne Experience.”