Roswell Lawrence Jr. (Submitted photo)
The American Council on Education announced that Roswell Lawrence Jr., assistant vice president and chief of staff for Finance and Administration at the University of Georgia, has been named an ACE Fellow for academic year 2023-24. Lawrence is one of 36 fellows selected from institutions across the country and the first UGA employee to be selected since 1990.
Since its inception in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program has prepared more than 2,500 faculty, staff and administrators for senior positions in college and university leadership through its cohort-based mentorship model. The program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, visits to campuses and other higher education-related organizations and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.
“In the 15 years that I have worked with Roswell in the various roles and capacities in which both of us have served, I was always, and continue to be, extraordinarily impressed with his keen intellect, ability to balance competing priorities, capacity to manage a myriad of complex initiatives, and the exceptionally strong leadership skills and integrity that undergird these qualities,” said Ryan Nesbit, vice president for finance and administration. “Because the ACE Fellows Program targets emerging leaders in higher education who have the potential to assume greater leadership roles, Roswell’s record of outstanding leadership makes him a perfect fit for this program.”
Lawrence has served as assistant vice president and chief of staff for Finance and Administration for nearly four years. He provides leadership for F&A through holistic client relations mitigation while being a liaison to the university’s academic, research and student life areas. He is responsible for evaluating, recommending and implementing methodologies to increase effectiveness within these critical support units that enhance operational efficiencies for faculty, staff and students.
Lawrence also supports various institutional initiatives at the university. He chairs a cross-functional team developing recommendations in support of the university’s Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Plan. Additionally, he provides governance and operational leadership for the UGA Professional Education Portal, a platform that supports professional development and research-related educational needs for faculty, staff and students.
Previously, Lawrence worked to effectively establish and sustain vital services (academic classes, dining, recreation, transportation, parking, maintenance, community engagement, etc.) as UGA launched a new Health Sciences Campus. Furthermore, he assisted the University System of Georgia in consolidating two higher education institutions. He also recently spearheaded the creation of a doctoral fellowship fund for first-generation, socioeconomically disadvantaged students and students who have overcome substantial educational or economic obstacles.
Lawrence earned his BBA from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from Piedmont University. He also holds a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice University & Seminary and a Ph.D. in educational administration and policy from the University of Georgia.
During his placement (institution still to be determined), Lawrence will observe and work with the president and other senior university administrators, attend decision-making meetings and focus on issues of interest. He will also conduct projects during his fellowship and seek to implement his findings upon completion of the fellowship placement.