Office of the President

President

Lawrence P. Ward

Lawrence P. Ward became the University of Hartford’s seventh president on July 1, 2024. 

A dynamic leader in the national higher education landscape with deep Connecticut roots, Ward arrived at UHart after a successful 10-year tenure at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where he served as vice president for learner success and dean of campus life. 

At Babson, Ward provided vision and oversight for major capital construction projects, advanced fundraising priorities, reimagined the student success infrastructure, built a championship intercollegiate athletics culture, and strengthened the College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. 

Previously, Ward served as associate dean for academic programs at American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington, D.C. He also served as managing director at PRS, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm, and as a health care account executive for Aetna. 

Ward earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut, his master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Michigan, and his doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, where he holds a faculty appointment in the Graduate School of Education. 

He has held multiple leadership positions in higher education, including as a member of the NCAA Board of Governors, chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council, and trustee at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. An engaging and popular speaker and panelist, Ward frequently speaks about how to help individuals and organizations reach their maximum potential for success.