Devorah Lieberman

Devorah Lieberman is an accomplished academic administrator and the 18th president of the University of La Verne, a position she held from 2011 until her retirement in July 2023. She made history as the first female president of the university, which is located in Southern California and recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Academic Background and Career

Lieberman holds a PhD in Intercultural Communication from the University of Florida, an MA in the same field from San Diego State University, and a BA in Communication Studies from Humboldt State University. Prior to her presidency at La Verne, she served as provost at Wagner College in New York and held various academic leadership roles at Portland State University.124

Tenure at University of La Verne

During her 12 years as president, Lieberman was instrumental in several significant initiatives:

• Fundraising Success: She oversaw the largest fundraising campaign in the university's history, raising over $128 million for scholarships, academic programs, and infrastructure improvements.1
• Campus Development: Under her leadership, the university executed a Campus Master Plan that enhanced physical spaces and community engagement, including new residence halls and facilities.1
• Crisis Management: Lieberman adeptly led the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing safety while maintaining educational quality.25
• Diversity and Inclusion: She worked to increase the diversity of the student body and sharpened the university's identity as a Hispanic Serving Institution.2

Recognition and Legacy

Lieberman's leadership has garnered numerous accolades. In 2023, she was recognized as Woman of Distinction by Senator Portantino and received the Ellis Island Award in 2016. Her contributions to higher education have also been acknowledged through various publications and presentations on topics such as leadership and intercultural communication.246

Currently, she serves as an Executive Strategic Leadership Consultant at Lieberman & Associates, where she continues to influence higher education through strategic advising and executive coaching for university leaders.23