Laura Niesen de Abruna, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President

In July 2007, Laura Niesen de Abruna took over as provost and senior vice president at Roger Williams University, assuming her role as the University’s chief academic officer.

Dr. de Abruna came to the University from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, where she most recently served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. At Heidelberg, she led a complete review of the college’s academic programs, directing its strategic planning efforts and introducing many new majors and programs into the curriculum.

Bringing to Roger Williams an extensive career in higher education, Dr. de Abruna has also held administrator and faculty posts at Ithaca College, Susquehanna University and the State University of New York at Oswego. She has received numerous awards and honors during her career, including American Council on Education and Council of Independent Colleges fellowships.

Dr. de Abruna holds a bachelor’s in English from Smith College and earned both her master’s and Ph.D. in modern American and British literature from the University of North Carolina. She is also an Ed.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, where she anticipates graduating as a member of the class of 2008.