Biography

Extended Biography

Introduction

Dr. Laura Skandera Trombley is a trailblazing leader in higher education, celebrated for her transformative impact as an administrator, scholar, and public intellectual. With a career spanning multiple presidencies and groundbreaking achievements, she has redefined academic leadership and championed the intersectionality of the humanities.

Currently serving as the first woman president of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, since July 2020, Dr. Trombley has a legacy of distinction as president emerita of three institutions: Pitzer College, where she led for a record-breaking 13 years; The Huntington Library, as its first woman president; and the University of Bridgeport, where she successfully addressed severe financial deficits and created a pathway for a balanced budget. Earlier in her career, she was the first woman to serve as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Coe College.

Dr. Trombley’s leadership is marked by her commitment to transparency, innovation, and sustainability. She has spearheaded initiatives in information technology, LEED-certified construction, STEAM education, and operational excellence, while driving exponential growth in fundraising. Her influence extends to national higher education governance, including roles with the Board of Directors of The Annapolis Group and the NCAA Division III Presidents Council.

In recognition of her contributions to higher education and international student exchanges, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Trombley to the prestigious J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in 2012. She made history as the first president west of the Mississippi to chair the board, delivering keynote addresses worldwide during Fulbright’s 70th anniversary in 2016.

A four-time president and devoted mother to her son, Nelson, Dr. Trombley continues to inspire meaningful dialogue and drive progress in academia and beyond, leaving a lasting impact on the institutions and communities she serves.

Mark Twain Scholarship

A staunch advocate for the liberal arts and humanities since her undergraduate years, Dr. Trombley has made significant contributions to literary scholarship, authoring five books that span topics from poetry and epistemology to critical essays on Maxine Hong Kingston and groundbreaking analyses of Mark Twain’s life and works.

Her Pulitzer Prize-nominated book, Mark Twain’s Other Woman (Knopf), revolutionized Twain studies by shedding light on his personal and professional relationships with women. Her work was recently celebrated in the June 2025 issue of Harper’s Magazine, where John Jeremiah Sullivan acknowledged her transformative contributions to Twain studies in his article, Twain’s Dreams.

Widely regarded as a scholar of the highest caliber, Dr. Trombley has received numerous accolades for her work in American literature. In spring 2019, the Mark Twain Journal named her its Legacy Scholar, and in May 2018, The Huntington Library honored her with the Dixon Wecter Distinguished Professor of American Literature Award. She also received the Louis J. Budd Award for excellence in scholarly achievement from the Mark Twain Circle of America in August 2017 and was recognized as the inaugural Thomas Nast Gast Professor by the University of Koblenz-Landau in July 2013. Dr. Trombley’s dedication to the humanities and her scholarly achievements continue to shape the field.

Dr. Trombley is a sought-after speaker and scholar, having delivered invited lectures on Mark Twain across the United States and internationally at prestigious universities in Canada, Bhutan, China, England, Japan, and Germany. Her expertise extends beyond Twain studies, as she has published dozens of scholarly articles and is a frequent commentator on topics such as higher education, leadership, and information technology.

Her thought-provoking articles have appeared in renowned publications, including The Paris Review, Los Angeles Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, University Business, Educational Technology, Women in Higher Education, The Huffington Post, Inside Higher Education, and Matrix Magazine. Dr. Trombley’s ability to engage diverse audiences and address critical issues in academia and beyond underscores her role as an important voice in both literary scholarship and higher education. 

Dr. Trombley’s journey as a leader and scholar began early. At just 16, she became the youngest undergraduate student at Pepperdine University, graduating with a double major, English Literature and Humanities, with her bachelor’s degree. Earning her master’s degree at Pepperdine she graduated summa cum laude. By 22, she had launched her teaching career at the University of Southern California, and by 40, she was named to her first presidency. Along the way, she achieved early tenure at SUNY, a testament to her exceptional academic contributions.

While still a graduate student, Dr. Trombley made a groundbreaking discovery: the largest cache of Mark Twain letters ever found. This collection of 100 letters became the foundation for her doctoral thesis and her first book, Mark Twain in the Company of Women, which was recognized by Choice as one of the outstanding academic books of 1995. Her scholarship continued with co-authoring and editing Constructing Mark Twain: New Directions in Scholarship. Her expertise has also been featured in prominent documentaries, including Ken Burns’ Mark Twain (2002) and Mark Twain’s Journey to Jerusalem: Dreamland (2017).

Dr. Trombley’s scholarship in Mark Twain Studies delves deeply into how Twain’s personal life shaped his social and political views, as well as his literary works. She compellingly argues that Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would not have been written without Twain’s exposure to women’s movements and his conversations with professional women, including his wife, Olivia Langdon. She spent 16 years doing groundbreaking research into Twain’s enigmatic assistant, Isabel Van Kleek Lyon, years and uncovered hidden truths about their complex relationship. This meticulous work culminated in her acclaimed book, Mark Twain’s Other Woman, which brought Isabel’s influence on Twain to light and challenged long-held narratives about the author.

Dr. Trombley remains an active and influential scholar. Her chapter, “Gender Issues,” was featured in the University of Cambridge Press edition Mark Twain in Context (2020). She also bridges the literary and cultural worlds, hosting events in Houston and Austin that explore the connection between Jerry Thomas, the father of American mixology, and Twain, an avid imbiber of Thomas’ creations.

In 2022, Dr. Trombley was one of only three scholars invited by renowned sculptor Charles Ray to contribute an essay, “Un/Masking Mark Twain,” for the catalog accompanying his major solo exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Bourse de Commerce–Pinault Collection. Ray credited her work as the inspiration for his 2021 sculpture, “Sarah Williams,” which was prominently displayed in the Met’s exhibition, Charles Ray: Figure Ground.

In addition to her literary scholarship, Dr. Trombley has published extensively on institutional dashboards, metrics, and board governance in The Chronicle of Higher Education and Trusteeship. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and session chair at academic and professional conferences, focusing on governance and leadership. Her dedication to service and advocacy is reflected in her membership in numerous organizations, including the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges Board of Directors, the National Council for Research on Women, the Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards, the Council on Foreign Relations Higher Education Working Group on Global Issues, and The Southern California Forum of The Trusteeship of the International Women’s Forum.

In recognition of her leadership, CASE honored Dr. Trombley with the Chief Executive Officer Leadership Award in 2008. Her work continues to inspire progress in scholarship, governance, and the advancement of women in academia.

Southwestern University

As a tenured professor of English who remains actively engaged in teaching, Dr. Trombley accepted the presidency of Southwestern University in July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the University navigated unprecedented challenges with resilience and innovation. While many institutions shifted entirely to online instruction, Dr. Trombley spearheaded efforts to keep students engaged in campus life, ensuring that over 70% of classes were held in person, with students living on campus. Southwestern achieved one of the lowest COVID-19 positivity rates in Texas, avoided staff or faculty furloughs or reductions, provided a small wage increase to all employees, and ended the year with a budget surplus while lowering the discount rate by a full percentage point. Despite the cancellation of fall and winter athletic seasons, all 20 athletic teams returned to competitive play in the spring.

Dr. Trombley’s tenure has been marked by remarkable financial and institutional achievements. Over the past five years, Southwestern has raised over $83 million, culminating in the successful completion of the $150 million Thrive Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the University’s history. This campaign has significantly increased financial aid, funded paid internships, endowed faculty positions, and supported critical capital improvements across campus. Under her leadership, the University has maintained balanced budgets every year and generated over $1.2 million in new revenue through innovative use of underutilized spaces by an auxiliary sales team she instituted. In 2023, Southwestern realized a $28 million return on a property gifted to the University in the 1930s, further bolstering its financial health.

Southwestern University’s progress under Dr. Trombley’s leadership is rooted in the collaborative development and execution of a five-year Tactical Plan. Created with input from faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni, the plan aligns with the University’s strategic goals and has achieved an impressive 89% completion within just four years. The strategy focuses on fostering campus community culture, increasing student retention and success, enhancing academic and co-curricular programs, modernizing infrastructure, and implementing comprehensive salary benchmarking studies. For students, this has resulted in paid high-impact experiences, enriched co-curricular offerings, and more inclusive spaces and programs. For faculty and staff, the plan has delivered meaningful investments in support and well-being. In 2022, the Board of Trustees approved a forward-thinking University master plan to guide Southwestern’s continued growth.

To support these initiatives, an $80 million bond was strategically leveraged to address deferred maintenance and fund capital improvements. One of the standout projects is the renovation of Mood-Bridwell Hall, a historic building constructed in 1908 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The updated facility now seamlessly blends 21st-century technology with its historic charm, featuring electronic classrooms, performance and gathering spaces, a coffeehouse, and a reopened upper terrace for outdoor seminars and events. Additionally, new construction is underway, including a Welcome Center that will house Admission and Financial Aid offices, first-year advisors, an art gallery, and a film theater, creating a dynamic hub for incoming students and visitors. Two new mixed-use residence halls are also being built and are set to open by 2026.

Southwestern has also prioritized strengthening the connection between athletics and campus life. In August 2025, construction will begin on a donor-funded $9.2 million multi-purpose sports complex. Located on the current football practice field, the facility will feature grandstands, a stadium press box, a synthetic turf field, scoreboards, and modern locker rooms. This state-of-the-art complex will support a variety of sports and large-scale University events, such as Commencement, and will bring football back to campus for the first time since 1950.

Southwestern University has placed a renewed emphasis on academic innovation, expanding student opportunities while addressing workforce needs. With her support, faculty and staff have forged new graduate and professional school partnerships with Rice University (Accounting), Texas Tech University (Mechanical Engineering), Baylor University (Nursing), and Texas A&M University (Business), creating clear pathways for students pursuing advanced degrees. Additionally, faculty have introduced certificate programs in emerging fields such as Legal Studies, Spanish for Health Care Professions, and 3D Printing, equipping students with practical skills for growing industries.

A new academic strategic plan is also in development, aimed at expanding academic offerings to meet student interests and workforce demands. Starting in Fall 2025, students will have access to pre-professional pathways in Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, and Pre-Physician Assistant. Plans are underway for a new major in Mechanical Engineering, with faculty hiring and curriculum development already in progress, further solidifying the university’s commitment to academic excellence and relevance.

Campus life is thriving, with initiatives like Pirate Adventures and the Outdoor Adventure program redefining the student experience. These programs encourage exploration, discovery, and community-building through activities such as museum visits, kayaking, caving, and hiking trips across Texas and beyond. Greek Life has also seen a remarkable resurgence, growing by 70% since fall 2023, fostering a renewed sense of connection, leadership, and pride among students.

Looking to the future, Southwestern is embarking on one of its most ambitious projects: the development of 560 acres east of campus, known as the SU 560 initiative. This visionary project aims to create a vibrant intellectual and cultural hub rooted in the liberal arts and guided by the values of connection, creativity, and purpose. More than just a land development, SU 560 is designed to enhance the academic experience, create an Artscape, provide new opportunities for community engagement, and generate sustainable revenue to support financial aid, educational programs, and campus resources.

The results of this deeply collaborative work are earning national recognition. In 2025, Southwestern achieved a record-breaking rise of 19 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, reaching #83 among national liberal arts colleges. It was also named the #2 liberal arts college in Texas by Forbes, marking its highest placement since 2018, and was recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the “Best Colleges for 2025,” earning a #2 national ranking for Career Services.

Southwestern also achieved a significant milestone by becoming a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), making it the only top-85 liberal arts college in the nation—and the only member of the Associated Colleges of the South—to hold this designation. This status opens new doors for grant funding, student support, and programming, further enhancing the University’s commitment to inclusivity and student success.

Dr. Trombley continues to contribute to scholarly and public discourse. She co-authored the article “Mark Twain & Critical Race Theory” with Dr. Ann Ryan, published in Inside Higher Education, and collaborated with faculty and the Rev. Dr. Ron Swain on an editorial for the Williamson County Sun newspaper titled “Williamson County’s Confederate Statue.” In 2022, she presented at SXSW EDU, delivering the talk “Leading with Sugar & Empathy for Institutional Change,” and was invited by the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) to serve on a panel about board governance at Chapman University in California. Additionally, she was a featured speaker alongside Dr. Ann Ryan at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, as part of their spring series, The Trouble Begins.

Pitzer College

Due to her dedication to increasing access for all students, during Dr. Trombley’s first presidency at Pitzer College it became the first institution of higher education on the West Coast to make the SAT optional. In 2004, she joined the Fulbright Senior Specialists roster and established Pitzer as a national leader in Fulbright Fellowships per 1,000 students for 11 consecutive years. From 2010 to 2015, Pitzer was the top producer of Fulbright award recipients among all liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Dr. Trombley prioritized student retention and success, implementing new programs and faculty hiring initiatives that significantly improved outcomes. The faculty-student ratio improved by 29% (from 1:14 to 1:10), first-year retention rates rose from 84% to 95%, senior retention increased from 71% to 81%, and the four-year graduation rate climbed from 67% to 83%. Additionally, during a period when the national average student debt was rising by 9.5% annually, Pitzer graduates saw their total debt decrease by 14%, reflecting Dr. Trombley’s commitment to reducing financial burdens for students.

To further enhance financial access, Dr. Trombley founded three scholarships at Pitzer College: the John Skandera Memorial Scholarship, the Laura Skandera Trombley Endowed Scholarship, and the Laura Skandera Trombley Humanities and Arts Endowed Research and Internship Fund. These scholarships continue to provide critical support for students, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of academic and professional opportunities.

From 2002 to 2015, Dr. Trombley led Pitzer College through its most transformative era, achieving unprecedented milestones in selectivity, financial stability, sustainability, and academic innovation. Under her leadership, Pitzer’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report soared from 70th to 32nd, a record-breaking improvement unmatched by any other college president. She oversaw a 1,200-student institution with an operating budget exceeding $55 million, navigating challenges like the 2008 recession with remarkable foresight. During the economic downturn, Pitzer became the only U.S. institution to cease endowment spending, retained all faculty and staff positions, provided pay increases, and elevated faculty compensation to the 90th percentile as reported by AAUP. Additionally, the lowest worker compensation was raised to 10% above the living wage for Los Angeles County.

Dr. Trombley’s tenure was marked by strategic planning and institutional growth. She completed two five-year tactical plans, developed an academic strategic plan, and created a master plan for facilities and growth. She also established the Office for Institutional Research and introduced an annual institutional dashboard to ensure transparency and accountability.

Her accomplishments include:

• Financial Stability: Dr. Trombley ensured annual budget surpluses, completed three fundraising campaigns ahead of schedule, raising over $123 million, increased the endowment by 211%, and grew the annual fund by approximately 80%.
• Campus Expansion: She acquired additional campus acreage, increasing it by over 526%, with 90% dedicated to environmental programming.
• Sustainability Leadership: Dr. Trombley directed the construction of eight LEED-certified mixed-use residential buildings with a $70 million budget, delivered on time and on budget, making 48% of Pitzer’s buildings LEED-certified. She also collaborated with Robert Redford to establish the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability, a groundbreaking initiative shaping regional and statewide environmental policy.
• Academic Excellence: She expanded tenure-track faculty by 39%, improved the student-faculty ratio from 14:1 to 10:1, and developed 58 new domestic and international exchange programs, increasing the percentage of students studying abroad from 40% to 80%. She also initiated the Vaccine Development Institute in partnership with the University of Botswana and established the Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology in Costa Rica.
• Reputation Building: Pitzer became one of the 20 most selective colleges in the country, lowering its admission rate to 12.9%, a 76% improvement.
• Sustainability and Campus Enhancements: Water usage was reduced by 50%, and the campus was re-landscaped into a native and drought-tolerant botanical garden. Two of the oldest buildings, Scott Hall and Benson Auditorium, were renovated, blending history with modern functionality.

Dr. Trombley’s commitment to the arts and global education was equally impactful. She established the Lenzner Family Art Gallery and hired the college’s first director and curator. She also worked with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation to create the Institute for Global/Local Action & Study (IGLAS) in 2004, furthering opportunities for students to engage in global learning. Her efforts attracted generous foundation support from organizations such as the Rose Foundation, W. M. Keck Foundation, and Robert Day Foundation.

A defining aspect of her presidency was her dedication to sustainability, which earned Pitzer multiple awards for its green initiatives. Her collaboration with Robert Redford as a trustee and special assistant for sustainability further solidified Pitzer’s leadership in environmental policy and education.

Upon her departure, the Pitzer College Council, composed of faculty, staff, and students, passed a resolution commending Dr. Trombley for her extraordinary contributions: “The Pitzer College Faculty commends and thanks President Laura Trombley for her outstanding contributions to the College and wishes her continuous success in future endeavors.”

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

At The Huntington Library, Dr. Trombley ushered in a transformative era of transparency, accountability, and growth, achieving remarkable milestones in revenue, attendance, and institutional development. In her first year, she raised $39.4 million—$10 million more than the previous year—and set record earned revenue totals for admissions, The Huntington Store, and dining, with combined earned revenue reaching $11.3 million, a $1.4 million increase. She also expanded open hours by 130%, significantly increasing access for families and setting a new attendance record with 40,000 member families and 725,759 visitors.

Dr. Trombley’s operational expertise was evident in her negotiation of a $25 million, 10-year food vendor contract and her modifications to the final phase of the Chinese Garden project. Her enhancements included the addition of a restaurant, an outdoor entertainment space, and an art gallery, and she successfully completed fundraising for the 20-year project with $12 million in gifts. She also secured a $2.5 million gift from Charles Munger to build The Huntington’s first LEED-certified building, a Director of Research home.

Her commitment to sustainability and innovation was reflected in her establishment of internal water conservation efforts, the organization of The Huntington’s first institutional sustainability summit, and a partnership with the University of California, Riverside, to subsidize the hiring of two assistant professors to conduct full-time research in The Huntington’s collections. She also hired the institution’s first Vice President of Information Technology and Vice President of Facilities, created the first institutional dashboard, launched The Huntington Channel to archive videos and webcasts for public access, and introduced the Out of the Vault Series to elevate The Huntington’s profile in Southern California.

Dr. Trombley prioritized community engagement and staff recognition. She established San Marino Day, an annual event inviting all community residents to The Huntington’s grounds, and made a $5,000 gift in her father’s name to honor San Marino educators. She also created annual staff recognition awards to celebrate the contributions of The Huntington’s employees.

Her leadership extended to strengthening partnerships and curating high-profile exhibitions. She negotiated a new agreement with USC for the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West (ICW) and the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute (EMSI). She also oversaw the exhibition of NASA’s JPL Orbit Pavilion, which drew outstanding attendance and reviews, and secured a future exhibition of the historic Hamilton/Burr pistols. In fall 2016, the Jonathan and Karin Fielding Wing opened—a $10.3 million expansion to the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art, designed by Frederick Fisher, featuring over 200 works from the Fieldings’ esteemed collection.

University of Bridgeport

Dr. Trombley’s presidency at the University of Bridgeport was a testament to her ability to lead institutions through financial and organizational transformation while prioritizing access and student success. Named the University’s 10th president and Trustee Distinguished Professor of the Humanities in the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Trombley took on the role knowing the institution faced significant challenges due to years of mismanagement, including a $12 million budget deficit, $68 million in debt, and an almost-depleted endowment. Within her first six months, she identified over $12 million in operational savings, renegotiated vendor contracts to save millions more, and initiated MOUs for real estate development projects that provided housing, amenities, and employment opportunities for students and the local community.

The University of Bridgeport, the most diverse private university in New England, serves a student body where 77% of undergraduates are students of color, 55% are Pell Grant eligible, and 37% are first-generation students. During Dr. Trombley’s tenure, the University achieved a 26% Hispanic undergraduate population, enabling it to apply for HACU membership. The institution also ranked among the top undergraduate engineering programs in the country, and its women’s soccer team won the NCAA Division II national championship.

Dr. Trombley implemented initiatives to improve affordability and retention. Starting in 2019, textbook, e-book, and code costs were eliminated by folding these expenses into tuition and fees. Undergraduate retention from first to second year increased by a record-setting 6%, and the institutional tuition discount was reduced by 4%. To foster community, she established a trustee-funded travel program for faculty-led student excursions and introduced an intramural athletics program.

 Under her leadership, the University underwent a rebranding as “Bridgeport Bold!” with a new website and an expanded social media presence. For the first time, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University among the top 381 national universities, recognizing it as the 39th most ethnically diverse national university and a top performer in social mobility.

Dr. Trombley also revitalized fundraising efforts, expanding the Board of Trustees with eight new members who brought increased giving and participation. In her first year, the University set records with a 20% increase in alumni participation in the annual fund, a 79% increase in funds raised for the annual fund, and a 273% increase over budget for major gifts. These records were surpassed again in her second year, despite global economic challenges. She also secured funding to reopen an 8-lane bowling alley, closed for 25 years, and hosted the University’s first three-day art festival.

In spring 2020, Dr. Trombley inaugurated several transformative programs and spaces. The Bridgeport Plan: Connecting Education to Career, housed in the Heckman Center, provided students with centralized services for advising, tutoring, career development, study abroad, and civic engagement. She also launched Connecticut’s first Female Equity Lounge, a women’s center affiliated with The Female Quotient national network, offering leadership programming and paid internships to create a pipeline of talented women. Additionally, she completed The Bauer Center, a knowledge park housed in a renovated Gilded Age mansion, designed to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development. The Center serves as an incubator for STEM and eco-focused innovation, offering student-run design services, technology transfer, and commercialization opportunities.

Dr. Trombley restructured the University into three colleges of distinction: the College of Arts and Sciences (including the School of Design), the College of Graduate Programs (featuring Engineering, Business, and Education), and the College of Health Sciences. Prior to the global pandemic, the University was on track to achieve a slight budget surplus by the end of the 2021 academic year. Her transformational, student-centered leadership earned the University recognition by Money Magazine as one of “Money’s Best Universities.”