Congratulating University of La Verne President Dr. Devorah Lieberman on Her Retirement

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great enthusiasm and immense gratitude, to congratulate University of La Verne President Dr. Devorah Lieberman on her retirement.

Serving as president since 2011, Dr. Lieberman has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the mission and vision of the University of La Verne, as well as constant dedication to its remarkable students and faculty. Her passion for the University of La Verne is evident to anyone who has ever met her.

President Lieberman's vision has loyally supported the university values and mission of delivering quality academic programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Some of her tremendous accomplishments include: establishing a College of Health and Community Well-Being; instituting the La Verne Experience; raising $128 million in the largest comprehensive campaign in institutional history; significantly increasing funding for student scholarships; fostering growth of the university as a Hispanic-Serving Institution; expanding the international student population; increasing the number of named colleges, endowed deans, and endowed faculty positions; and, significantly increasing the institutional endowment.

Dr. Lieberman is the 18th president of the University of La Verne, a nationally ranked and Carnegie-recognized private institution for civic and community engagement. Located in Southern California in the 31st Congressional District, the University of La Verne was founded in 1891 and educates approximately 8,000 students.

President Lieberman is currently Chair-Elect of the New American Colleges & Universities (NAC&U), and serves on the Boards of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, the L.A. County Fair Board, and the LA Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Lieberman has broadly published books and articles in higher education literature on the topics of intercultural communication, faculty development, diversity, and institutional transformation. Awards she received include the Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement's ``Si Se Puede Award,'' the Carnegie Foundation ``Oregon Professor of the Year,'' the ACE ``Bringing the World into the Classroom'' National award, the Student Union President of the Year, and the Ellis Island Award.

Prior to her presidency at the University of La Verne, Dr. Lieberman was Provost at Wagner College on Staten Island and Vice Provost and Professor of Communication Studies at Portland State University. She graduated with her Ph.D. from the University of Florida; with her MA from San Diego State; with her BA from Humboldt State, and her AA from Mt. San Antonio College.

After receiving a request from the University of La Verne led by President Lieberman, I was very proud to secure $2.2 Million in FY2023 Community Project Funding for the University of La Verne's Institute of Mental Health. Both my District and D.C. offices have had an excellent working relationship with President Lieberman and her government relations team, which we look forward to continuing as Dr. Lieberman serves in an advisory role to the university. I extend my sincere congratulations to my dear friend, Dr. Devorah Lieberman, and wish her a happy and fulfilling, well-deserved retirement. I thank her, and God Bless.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source