Humphrey School of Public Affairs Dean Laura Bloomberg today announced that she will step down next month to become the next Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Bloomberg has served as dean of the Humphrey School since 2017, and was associate dean for four years prior to that. She announced her intention to step down as dean last fall, and a national search process is underway to find her successor.
Cleveland State University (CSU), located in downtown Cleveland, is a public university with an enrollment of more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students. About 27 percent of its students are people of color.
“Cleveland State University is an urban-serving institution with an ambitious growth plan and a key focus on applied and engaged learning for both graduate and undergraduate students,” Bloomberg said in announcing her decision to the Humphrey School community. “In many ways the mission, location, and aspirations of CSU feel familiar to me, and feed my passion for blending higher education leadership with a commitment to strengthening pathways for underrepresented students to have a successful college experience. I am eager to assume a campus wide leadership role and be part of building systems that enable students and scholars to thrive.”
In announcing Bloomberg’s appointment, CSU President Harlan Sands said he is “pleased and excited” that Bloomberg, a nationally recognized leader in public and global policy education, is joining the school’s leadership team.
“Dr. Bloomberg is a creative, dynamic and forward-thinking leader with a broad range of academic experience, administrative expertise, and mission-relevant successes,” said Sands. “Her grasp of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education, her passion for student success, and most importantly, her understanding of and commitment to our vision for CSU makes her the right choice to continue building and promoting our special brand of ‘Engaged Learning.’”
During her eight years in the dean’s office at the Humphrey School, Bloomberg led efforts to support the global expansion of the School, establish a national pathway program for college students underrepresented in public affairs programs, launch a Master of Human Rights degree program, and develop the Mandela Washington Fellowship program to support young leaders from countries across Africa. She also implemented revised equity and inclusion plans and launched new courses in race equity and social justice.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to Dean Bloomberg for her exemplary service to the Humphrey School and the University of Minnesota,” said Provost Rachel Croson. “She has kept a steady focus on the School’s vision and priorities, moving it into a position of strength. I am truly grateful for all she has accomplished.”
Bloomberg has also played a key leadership role in the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), serving this year as president of the national professional association for schools of public affairs. She is also on the executive committee of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).
Bloomberg is the seventh dean of the Humphrey School, and the first woman to hold the position. Prior to joining the School, she was executive director of the University’s Center for Integrative Leadership, a joint initiative of the Humphrey School, Carlson School of Management, School of Public Health, and College of Education and Human Development.
Previously, Bloomberg served in nonprofit and educational leadership roles, including as a K-12 district administrator and program evaluation researcher and consultant. She earned her PhD in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota.
Bloomberg’s last day will be August 20. Croson will shortly appoint an interim dean to lead the School until a new permanent dean is in place.
“Last fall when I announced my intention to step down as dean of the Humphrey School, I said that serving in this leadership capacity has been one of the greatest honors of my career. It will always remain so,” Bloomberg said. “While I will no longer be a dean or an employee of the University of Minnesota, I am forever a proud UMN alum and forever a huge supporter of the mission and vision of this terrific Humphrey School of Public Affairs.”