New Interim Vice President of Student Life Brings Passion, Caring for the Whole Student

Florida Southern College has named Dr. Lauren Albaum as Interim Vice President of Student Life, after serving six successful years as the College’s Executive Director of Career Services.

"Dr. Albaum is an innovator who creates and implements effective strategies to support students’ career preparation and search processes and has achieved notable outcomes for job and graduate school placements," explained Dr. Anne B. Kerr, president of Florida Southern College. "Dr. Albaum's research focuses on the relationship between student success, academic performance, and motivation. She has a vision for a holistic approach in preparing students to make a positive and consequential difference in our world, and I'm excited to see how she will enhance student development in the years ahead."

Dr. Albaum describes herself as a "supportive dream-builder." She looks forward to continuing the work she started within career services by providing opportunities for co-curricular learning and student leadership development, allowing students to develop further the skills they need to succeed both in the classroom and the workforce.

“I am honored and humbled to continue to serve the Florida Southern College community in this new capacity,” Dr. Albaum stated. “I look forward to enhancing collaborative partnerships that foster student success and to meet the evolving needs of our campus community, ultimately ensuring our Mocs develop the skills that will prepare them to make an impact on society.”

"When alumni recall their years at Florida Southern, they remember their time in the residence halls. They remember their time engaged in campus activities and participating in traditions such as the Waterdome Splash. Student life at Florida Southern is so unique, and I'm excited to immerse myself in campus life more fully. Students will be seeing lots of me!"

Since arriving at Florida Southern in 2016, Dr. Albaum has expertly guided career services in helping students reach their ambitious goals. Recognizing that STEM and pre-health students require specialized guidance, in collaboration with the biology department, she established FSC's Pre-Professional Program (P3), providing one-on-one advising, job shadowing opportunities, and graduate school application assistance. Last year, graduating students involved in the P3 program achieved a 100 percent acceptance rate into highly selective professional schools, including medical, dental, and veterinary programs.

In line with the College's commitment to providing students with opportunities to apply their learning, under Dr. Albaum's leadership, the career services office places more than 900 student interns annually at organizations both in central Florida and throughout the world. Based on her leadership and effective work with students, Florida Southern boasts a 97 percent placement rate.

This past August, The Princeton Review recognized these achievements by including Florida Southern among the Top 25 colleges in the nation with the "Best Career Services;" the only school in Florida to appear on the list.

Dr. Albaum is a frequent regional and national presenter, writer, and serves in various leadership positions nationally, regionally, and within the local community. She serves on the boards and in leadership positions of The Florida Children's Museum, the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, the United Way of Central Florida, the Lakeland Economic Development Council, Polk Vision, and the National Association of the Advisors of Health Professions. Lauren is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XXXVIII and a member of Leadership Florida Connect Class 12. Recently, she was honored as a Polk Emerging Leader and selected the ATHENA International Young Professional Leadership awardee, presented by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.