Program Directory

 
City Club of Cleveland - Dr. Lester Lefton, President, Kent State University
 
 
 
Lefton is the current President of Kent State University. He has 35 years of experience in higher education, having served for 25 years at a public institution and 9 at private institutions. During his career, he has been a psychology professor, dean and provost, as well as author of an internationally best-selling psychology textbook.

Formerly, Lefton was senior vice president and provost of Tulane University where he was responsible for overseeing the university's 10 deans and more than 500 faculty, as well as the graduate school, libraries and international programs. He oversaw athletic eligibility and compliance for student-athletes and was responsible for the divisions of student affairs, housing, dining and recreational facilities, enrollment management, admissions and financial aid.

As Kent State president and chief executive officer, Dr. Lefton oversees one of the nation's largest university systems. Kent State's eight campuses provide more than 280 academic programs to more than 34,000 undergraduate and graduate students from throughout Ohio and the nation, and from 100 countries. One of the largest employers in northeast Ohio, the university employs more than 4,600 full- and part-time faculty and staff. In keeping with Kent State's strong support of regional and state economic development, Dr. Lefton is active on the boards of NorTech and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. He 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.
September 4, 2009