Laurie A. Pohl

Dr. Laurie Pohl is professor of the practice (retired) at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.  Her career spans all aspects of university administration and includes substantial experience in university-wide activities such as strategic planning, governance, agency and governmental relations, philanthropy, public relations, enrollment management and student affairs, and institutional budget and finance. A longstanding advocate for college access and student success, Dr. Pohl instituted numerous programs and policies that resulted in increased racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity within the undergraduate student body, including establishing a partnership with the Posse Foundation; expansion of BU’s financial commitment to graduates of the Boston Public Schools enrolling at BU; and partnership with the College Advising Corps.

At BU Wheelock, Dr. Pohl served as the faculty director of the College Access Initiative. At BU, her university service has included shepherding policy reforms, including intra-university transfer, incorporation of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and course credit assignment; participation in strategic planning and institutional accreditation; and, participation in the creation of the Kilachand Honors College. Dr. Pohl was deeply involved in the programming and planning for the Yawkey Center for Student Services and in the creation of the Alan and Sherry Leventhal Center. She served as vice president for Enrollment & Student Affairs at BU.

As a member of the University’s senior leadership, Dr. Pohl was a member of University Council; served as liaison to the board of trustees Student Affairs Committee; and was a member of University decision-making groups, such as the Provost’s Cabinet and University Leadership Group. She received Boston University’s Shimony Prize in 2006 for her paper on scientific objectivity. Before coming to BU, Dr. Pohl spent over a decade in senior leadership positions at the University of Virginia that culminated in service as chief of staff to the president and chief planning officer.