A former interim dean of the University of Louisville School of Medicine has been named president of Union Graduate College in Schenectady, N.Y. 

Laura Schweitzer, Ph.D., will assume the post in January after having served as chief academic officer for Bassett Healthcare and founding regional dean of the Albany Medical College Cooperstown Campus.

In that capacity, she successfully created a two-year medical college campus, based in Cooperstown and run jointly by Albany Medical College and Bassett Healthcare.

Schweitzer replaces Sue Lehrman, Ph.D., who left Union Graduate College in 2007 to join Providence College.

A Washington University- and Duke-trained neurobiologist, Schweitzer served as interim dean of the UofL School of Medicine from 2004 to 2005. During her tenure here, she also served as dean of students and dean of allied health. In 2005, she received the University of Louisville Diversity and Equity (Tachau) Award.

Schweiter also is a past vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Upstate and vice provost at Syracuse University.

"After conducting a national search with a very strong pool of applicants, Dr. Schweitzer emerged as the overwhelming choice to be our next president," said Thomas Hitchcock, president of the Board of Trustees at Union Graduate College.

"Her strong academic background, considerable executive experience, demonstrated leadership and communication skills, roots in the Capital District, and incredible passion make her ideal to lead Union Graduate College at this important time. With a new campus under construction and our programs growing, we look forward to Laura's arrival with great excitement and anticipation."

Construction is underway for Union Graduate College's new, state-of-the-art campus in downtown Schenectady, which is slated to open in the fall of 2009. The college offers master's degrees in management (including a specialization in healthcare), education, engineering and bioethics, a program offered in partnership with Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.

"I am delighted to join Union Graduate College at such an extraordinary time in its history," Schweitzer said. "With excellence in its degree programs, the deep commitment of a gifted faculty and staff, and savvy students working hard to further their careers, Union Graduate College is well-positioned to grow. I believe the college has a vital role to play in the exciting development taking place across Tech Valley."

Schweitzer was recently named the 2008 winner of the Women in Medicine Leadership Development Award. A national honor from the Association of American Medical Colleges, it recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to advancing women leaders in academic medicine.

"Laura brings outstanding credentials and proven leadership skills, but her past positions also afford her a valuable understanding of the needs of the Capital Region and Upstate New York," said Michael Newell, trustee and chair of the search committee.

"Laura draws rave reviews from everyone she has worked with — and we saw that same enthusiasm echoed by our students, faculty, staff and trustees during her interviews."