A recently completed national search for a permanent director "did not yield a sufficient pool of qualified candidates from which we would have been able to make an appointment," said Vice President for Student Affairs Dean Batt.
"I am very pleased that Leon is able to accept this appointment at this time," Batt said. "I am convinced that he has the skills and abilities to direct this program in a way that will enable us to move forward."
Lawrence, who has been with UVM for eight years, said, "I hope to help the students to develop their potential to the fullest extent possible."
Prior to joining the president´s staff he was the employee relations coordinator in UVM´s Personnel Department. Before coming to UVM, Lawrence worked in a variety of human resources positions at IBM for 15 years.
Batt thanked the search committee and university community for the energy and commitment devoted to the process. He said a new search will be conducted prior to the end of Lawrence´s term. .