NSU names Boren VP for student affairs

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Having served as dean of student affairs since 2006, Dr. Laura Boren was recently named the first vice president for student affairs at Northeastern State University.

I am humbled and honored to serve in the role of vice president for student affairs" Boren said. I believe this opportunity speaks to NSUs commitment to students. The Division of Student Affairs has an amazing staff committed to being partners with the university community in student development and achievement.

Borens commitment to fostering a student centered environment through a collaborative campus-wide approach has allowed the Division of Student Affairs to expand department services and programs in Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services, Student Activities and Broken Arrow Student Affairs.

Student engagement in leadership development, civic engagement and community health and wellness have been top priorities of Borens. She has led university wide initiatives related to leadership speaker series, community service, healthy campus, university crisis response and enrollment retention.

Boren completed her Ph.D. in higher education administration with Texas A&M University in December 2011. She obtained a master of science degree in student personnel services in 1998 and a bachelor of business administration in meetings and destination management in 1994.

Bringing vast experience to the vice president position, Boren began her professional career in hotel catering sales after receiving her undergraduate degree. She found her career passion upon taking a job at NSU as director of student activities, working directly with the Northeastern Activities Board and Rookie Bridge Camp.

Boren was hired by Texas A&M University in January 2000 to oversee the TAMU extended orientation program, Fish Camp, and to coordinate leadership development programs. She quickly moved into multiple leadership roles within TAMUs Division of Student Affairs. During her time at TAMU, Boren oversaw the recognized student organization services, extended orientation programs and leadership development programs. She became a local, state and national presenter on student risk management. Boren had the opportunity to coordinate and serve on the universitys student crisis response team. She also worked with the associate vice president for student affairs on student conduct and university policy development and management.

After more than five years at Texas A&M University, Boren said she was drawn back to NSU.

NSU and Tahlequah are embedded in my heart and soul," she said. "I am a proud member of the Cherokee Nation tribe and my maternal family came to Tahlequah through the Trail of Tears. I am also a proud NSU graduate and feel like I am carrying on the NSU legacy of paternal family as my grandfather was a retired math faculty member and my grandmother is a retiree from NSU. Both sides of my family are graduates of NSU.

Boren serves as president of the American Auxiliary of University Women Tahlequah Branch. She is a member of the Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation Board, the Philanthropic Educational Organization and attends Tahlequah Presbyterian Church.