Biography

Introduction

Southwestern University proudly holds the title of Texas’s oldest higher education institution since its founding in 1840. Located in the vibrant city of Georgetown, just a short drive from Austin, Southwestern is where tradition meets progress.

Dr. Laura Skandera Trombley serves as the University’s 16th president and its first woman leader, bringing her expertise as a tenured professor of English to guide the institution’s bold future. Southwestern’s reputation is bolstered by an enviable record of achievement, including producing Texas’s first Rhodes Scholar and a stunning 2023 milestone — a 100% acceptance rate for graduates applying to medical or dental programs. Additionally, a remarkable 25% of each graduating class secures spots in medical schools annually, and 98% of recent graduates either pursue advanced degrees or launch successful careers.

The University offers a diverse array of degree programs, from the arts to sciences, education, and music, ensuring a well-rounded academic foundation. Beyond academics, Southwestern is a trailblazer in sustainability, meeting all its energy needs through wind generation and adhering to rigorous LEED construction principles.

Southwestern University’s striking 750-acre campus is a natural gem, celebrated for its beauty and features 20 NCAA Division III athletic teams. With a progressive vision, a legacy of distinction, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Southwestern University exemplifies what it means to educate and inspire future leaders.

Under Dr. Trombley’s visionary leadership, the University has flourished. She introduced a trustee dashboard benchmarking national liberal arts institutions, finalized an ambitious campus master plan, and oversaw the construction of two vibrant mixed-use residence halls and a welcoming center. Dr. Trombley also enhanced student life with new amenities and spearheaded a dynamic 5-Year Tactical Plan aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan and capital campaign. As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution with 29% Hispanic enrollment, the University has broken fundraising records, surpassing annual goals for restricted, endowment, and capital gifts. The transformative ‘Thrive’ campaign, with a $150 million goal, was a success with Dr. Trombley raising $83 million of the total during her five-year tenure as president.

Dr. Trombley is president emerita of three institutions: Pitzer College, where she served for 13 years, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, where she was the first woman president, and the University of Bridgeport. Previously, she served as the first woman vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Dr. Laura Trombley is an acclaimed author of five books and stands as one of the world’s foremost authorities on Mark Twain. Her groundbreaking scholarship has earned her an array of prestigious accolades, reinforcing her exceptional contributions to the field. The Mark Twain Journal recently honored her as a Legacy Scholar for her pioneering efforts to restore the intellectual legacies of the women in Twain’s life. She has also been awarded the Huntington Library’s coveted Dixon Wecter Distinguished Professor of American Literature Award. Recognized by the Mark Twain Circle, she received the esteemed Louis J. Budd Award for Outstanding Contributions to Mark Twain Studies. Adding to her international acclaim, she was named the inaugural Thomas Nast Gastprofessorin by the University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany. Dr. Trombley’s accomplishments have made important contributions to American literary scholarship.

Dr. Trombley’s academic journey is as impressive as her leadership. A double major in English Literature and Humanities, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University. Continuing her pursuit of excellence, she graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Arts in English, also from Pepperdine. Dr. Trombley then achieved her doctorate in English from the University of Southern California, where she was honored as the Lester and Irene Finkelstein Fellow, USC’s most prestigious award for Outstanding Humanities Graduate Student.