Lauren Dougherty began her job as Director of Student Activities at the start of this term. Dougherty started her work in student activities 12 years ago at Syracuse University in their Student Centers & Programming Services while completing her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.

“My work in student leadership and student development truly is a passion of mine,” Dougherty said. Dougherty has worked in a diverse range of roles in student activities in the past 12 years. She even spent two weeks in England once observing how student activities functions in the English college environment.

“Regardless of where I am employed, I love working with students to help them get outside their comfort zones and find growth opportunities to develop a strong skill set that will advance them in their leadership roles and future careers,” Dougherty said.

Most recently, she worked at Siena College for the past five years as the Associate Director of Student Activities & Leadership Development.

Dougherty was hired at Union following the departure of Karoline Sears, who left the Office of Student Activities at the end of the last scholastic year to work for the New York State Department of Education.

“I think it’s a little early to know 100 percent how it will be different [than Siena College], but I think for me the biggest transition is going from semesters to trimesters and learning the student dynamic through different terms,” Dougherty said on her transition from Siena College to Union.

Union came on Dougherty’s radar after she attended a student affairs round table event hosted at Union a few years prior.

“The office environment and ideas are aligned with my personal beliefs for student development while maintaining a fun atmosphere for all to come and get involved in new experiences on campus. As for the college as a whole, I love that Union respects and honors past traditions while striving towards innovation for the future needs of our students,” Dougherty said of her first experience at the college. “Everyone has been very welcoming, which has really made me feel at home here in such a short period of time. I look forward to interacting with more of the student leaders and clubs as I continue to learn more about the student experience on campus,” Dougherty said.

In her free time, Dougherty enjoys reading, spending time with her family and exploring the areas around her. She is also an avid runner. She entered her first 15K race when she was 11 years old and has completed a marathon and multiple half marathons in her life. This past summer she also completed her first triathlon.