Notable Women in Education: Beth Borgen

President / Lakeland University

Beth Borgen’s success story gets better each year. She has quickly risen to the presidency at Lakeland University – a role she never envisioned when she arrived as assistant alumni relations director 15 years ago – thanks to a progressive, customer-centric leadership style that promotes campus inclusiveness, according to colleagues.

Lakeland has historically served a large number of first-generation college students, as well as hundreds of working adults who are earning a degree. Borgen has lived both profiles and advocates for a healthy work-life balance and has challenged Lakeland’s leadership team to re-evaluate the way the institution does business.

Borgen has been instrumental in keeping Lakeland moving forward at a time when many institutions are struggling to attract students due to fears over student debt, COVID-19 and a shrinking pool of prospective students, according to David Gallianetti, director of external relations at Lakeland. 

Borgen has:

  • Led a task force that implemented Lakeland’s award-winning Cooperative Education program.
  • Led Lakeland’s recent $12 million fundraising campaign.
  • Played a significant role in launching several boards of advocates that keep LU’s academic programs connected to the needs of employers.

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