Lester Lefton
Encyclopedia
Lester A. Lefton is an American
academic and higher education administrator. He is the President of Kent State University
(2006–present). He has 35 years of experience in higher education, having served for 25 years at a public institution and nine at private institutions. During his career, he has been a psychology professor, dean and provost, as well as a psychology textbook author.
Born in Brookline
, Massachusetts
, Lefton completed his bachelor's in psychology from Northeastern University
in Boston in 1969. He earned his doctorate in experimental psychology, specializing in visual perception and focusing on cognitive psychology in 1974 from the University of Rochester
, where he held a U.S. Public Health Service Predoctoral Fellowship.
, associate professor in 1975, and full professor in 1980. Lefton served as chair of the psychology department (1986–1994) and dean of the College of Liberal Arts for three years (1994–1997).
He moved to George Washington University
in Washington, D.C., where he served as dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences for four years (1997–2001).
Lefton was senior vice president and provost of Tulane University
for five years (2001–2006).
Lefton has published dozens of peer-refereed research articles. He has been a fellow of the American Psychological Association
. He is known nationally as a passionate advocate for undergraduate education. An award-winning teacher with 36 years of university teaching experience, Lefton’s introductory psychology textbook, now in its ninth edition, is used in college classrooms nationwide.
As president, Lefton has instituted a university-wide focus on Excellence in Action.
Among the highlights of his first five years:
Besides serving as Kent State president, Lefton is active on the boards of NorTech and the Greater Akron Chamber, and is a member of Leadership Cleveland’s Class of 2008. During 2007, he served on the Northeast Ohio Universities Collaboration and Innovation Study Commission, which was created by the Ohio General Assembly. The Commission submitted a wide range of recommendations to the Ohio Legislature and the Ohio Board of Regents about ways to improve quality, collaborations and efficiency among the region’s public colleges and universities.
Lefton also upholds the university’s role as a regional cultural resource through service on the boards of public television station Channels 45/49 and the Musical Arts Association of the Cleveland Orchestra.
Lefton has been active in a number of national higher education organizations.
At the national level, Lefton serves on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Commission on Effective Leadership. The commission advises the ACE’s Center for Effective Leadership, which provides a variety of leadership and professional-development programs for presidents and other higher education administrators.
Lefton resides in Kent, Ohio with his wife, Linda. They have two grown daughters and three grandsons. Mrs. Lefton is an attorney who served as a state prosecutor in South Carolina and was an academic advisor for pre-law majors at George Washington and Tulane universities. She serves on the board of the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children’s Hospital and is a member of the Women’s Committee of the Cleveland Orchestra. Mrs. Lefton is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Portage County.
In a Sep 26, 2007 editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal
Lefton was criticized for extensive travel to Europe a portion of which was charged to the University, as well as hiring two additional vice presidents during a time when university tuition and fees increased for students.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic and higher education administrator. He is the President of Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
(2006–present). He has 35 years of experience in higher education, having served for 25 years at a public institution and nine at private institutions. During his career, he has been a psychology professor, dean and provost, as well as a psychology textbook author.
Born in Brookline
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Lefton completed his bachelor's in psychology from Northeastern University
Northeastern University, Boston
Northeastern University , is a private, secular, coeducational research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Northeastern has eight colleges and offers undergraduate majors in 65 departments...
in Boston in 1969. He earned his doctorate in experimental psychology, specializing in visual perception and focusing on cognitive psychology in 1974 from the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
, where he held a U.S. Public Health Service Predoctoral Fellowship.
Academic career
In 1972, he became an assistant professor at the University of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, associate professor in 1975, and full professor in 1980. Lefton served as chair of the psychology department (1986–1994) and dean of the College of Liberal Arts for three years (1994–1997).
He moved to George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in Washington, D.C., where he served as dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences for four years (1997–2001).
Lefton was senior vice president and provost of Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
for five years (2001–2006).
Lefton has published dozens of peer-refereed research articles. He has been a fellow of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
. He is known nationally as a passionate advocate for undergraduate education. An award-winning teacher with 36 years of university teaching experience, Lefton’s introductory psychology textbook, now in its ninth edition, is used in college classrooms nationwide.
Kent State President
Named Kent State president in 2006, Lefton oversees one of the nation's largest university systems and the second largest university in the state of Ohio. Kent State's eight campuses provide more than 280 academic programs to a record 41,300 undergraduate and graduate students. He earns $520,000 a year, plus up to 20 percent bonus, retirement benefits, a housing allowance, automobile, entertainment, deferred annuity, etc.As president, Lefton has instituted a university-wide focus on Excellence in Action.
Among the highlights of his first five years:
- He has worked to streamline the path to graduation for students (e.g., simplification of complex and confusing system of Liberal Education Requirements) as part of a heightened emphasis on student recruitment and retention.
- Lefton created a broad-based Commission on Exclusion and, on its recommendation, created the university’s first Vice President for Diversity position.
- In recognition of an increasingly global economy and society, he has intensified emphasis on international programs and experiences, including a number of new agreements with leading universities in China and other parts of the world.
- He has set new goals for faculty research that have resulted in significant increases in the number of grant proposals submitted by faculty members and the number of extramural funding received for faculty research.
- Lefton has spearheaded a comprehensive review of the university’s financial model, resulting in a change to a decentralized Responsibility Center Management financial system.
- He has played a significant role in cultivating a new era of cooperation between the university and the City of Kent and the redevelopment of downtown Kent.
- In early June 2009, Lefton and his cabinet agreed to donate their raises to a scholarship fund to help students during the recession.
- He helped keep high-tech company AlphaMicron in Kent by bringing the firm to the university-operated Centennial Research Park. The company applies research in liquid crystals to create new products.
- Lefton oversaw the largest enrollment of students in Kent State history—a record 41,300 at all eight Kent State campuses—for the fall 2010 semester.
- Under Lefton’s leadership, Kent State broke the institution’s fundraising record three years in a row and raised more than $40 million from donors in single year for the first time during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011.
- Recognizing that students need and deserve first-class classrooms, laboratories, stages and other facilities to successfully compete for jobs, internships and advanced education, the university has developed a culture of philanthropy and fundraising that supports Kent State’s already strong commitment to capital improvements that enhance teaching and learning. Recent facilities improvements include the Roe Green Center for the School of Theatre and Dance, a $22 million renovation of historic Franklin Hall that transformed it into one of the nation’s leading training grounds for aspiring reporters, editors, producers, photographers, videographers and designers, and the Air Traffic Control Center in Van Deusen Hall that aid the university as it trains air traffic control students to help fill the Federal Aviation Administration’s need for more than 14,500 air traffic control specialists between now and 2018.
- Under Lefton’s leadership, Kent State established a College of Public Health, the second one in Ohio, to meet the state’s and nation’s growing needs for public health professionals. Kent State graduated its first class of students from the College of Public Health in May 2011.
- He led the university when it was named one of the top 200 universities in the world by Times Higher Education of London. and received a coveted spot in the first tier list of Best National Universities by U.S. News.
Besides serving as Kent State president, Lefton is active on the boards of NorTech and the Greater Akron Chamber, and is a member of Leadership Cleveland’s Class of 2008. During 2007, he served on the Northeast Ohio Universities Collaboration and Innovation Study Commission, which was created by the Ohio General Assembly. The Commission submitted a wide range of recommendations to the Ohio Legislature and the Ohio Board of Regents about ways to improve quality, collaborations and efficiency among the region’s public colleges and universities.
Lefton also upholds the university’s role as a regional cultural resource through service on the boards of public television station Channels 45/49 and the Musical Arts Association of the Cleveland Orchestra.
Lefton has been active in a number of national higher education organizations.
At the national level, Lefton serves on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Commission on Effective Leadership. The commission advises the ACE’s Center for Effective Leadership, which provides a variety of leadership and professional-development programs for presidents and other higher education administrators.
Lefton resides in Kent, Ohio with his wife, Linda. They have two grown daughters and three grandsons. Mrs. Lefton is an attorney who served as a state prosecutor in South Carolina and was an academic advisor for pre-law majors at George Washington and Tulane universities. She serves on the board of the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children’s Hospital and is a member of the Women’s Committee of the Cleveland Orchestra. Mrs. Lefton is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Portage County.
Spending Controversy
Lefton has come under scrutiny for his expense accounts charged to the university. Between July 2006 and July 2007 Lefton expensed $36,741.93 on entertainment and $44,249.34 on travel.In a Sep 26, 2007 editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal
Akron Beacon Journal
The Akron Beacon Journal is a four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning morning newspaper in Akron, Ohio, United States, and published by Black Press Ltd.. It is the sole daily newspaper in Akron and is distributed throughout Northeast Ohio. The paper places a strong emphasis on local news and business...
Lefton was criticized for extensive travel to Europe a portion of which was charged to the University, as well as hiring two additional vice presidents during a time when university tuition and fees increased for students.
Other Controversy
Further controversy in 2007 included an agreement to pay $88,000 for a Vice President to pursue a doctorate at Case Western University. This came at a time when the university was raising student tuition and was of further concern because the same degree could be earned at Kent State University.External links
- President Lester A. Lefton's biography
- President's Home page
- Black Squirrel Radio President Lefton Interview podcast
- Daily Kent Stater Online independent student newspaper
- Black Squirrel Radio student radio station