CBIA BizCast: Homecoming for University of Hartford’s Ward

Lawrence Ward will mark his first year as University of Hartford president in July. 

Ward sat down with the CBIA BizCast to discuss his journey to lead UHart, his first year, and his goals for the university. 

UHart is something of a homecoming for Ward, who grew up in Vernon and graduated from the University of Connecticut. 

Ward’s career actually started in sales and marketing at Aetna.

But said the “seeds for being an educator were first planted as a young child.”

‘Tremendous Honor’

Ward said growing up, he looked up to his mother—a high school social studies teacher.

With the help of several mentors, Ward shifted to consulting for an organizational training company, and ultimately becoming an associate dean at American University and a dean and vice president at Babson College. 

Ward said he was drawn to UHart’s ethos of being a private university that works to serve the public good. 

“The only thing that makes my story possible, and that of my family, is the promise of higher education.”

University of Hartford’s Lawrence Ward

He also said coming back to Hartford was a full-circle moment for his family. 

Ward’s grandmother, who didn’t have more than an eighth grade education, worked as a chambermaid to help put three children through school. 

“The only thing that makes my story possible, and that of my family, is the promise of higher education,” he said. 

“So it’s really important, it’s very personal, and it is a tremendous honor to come back as president.”

Culture Change

Ward became president during a period of transition for the university.

That includes post-COVID financial realities and the controversial decision to shift from Division I to Division III athletics. 

“I have a challenge of rebuilding confidence in this institution and rebuilding confidence in ourself organizationally,” he said. “That’s a cultural challenge.”

“I have been really heartened by the university community’s response.”

Ward

Ward said its been important to him to be present, engaged, and accessible to really understand the community.

“I really prided myself on these first nine months, on doing exactly that,” he said.

“I have been really heartened by the university community’s response to me and my leadership.”

Engaging Employers

Ward said his immediate goal is to make UHart a preferred destination for students and families. 

A big part of that is developing programs that prepare students for in-demand careers like nursing, robotics, and business. 

“We’ve got some really strong market-facing in-demand programs, and we need to match that with really high-quality student focused experience on campus,” he said.

“Success for the region will mean success for the University of Hartford.”

To do that, Ward said they are stepping up their efforts to engage with companies to create unique partnerships that will create career pipelines for students, benefitting the businesses and the university.

Ward said as the university evolves, it’s important they live up to their name and help lift up the Hartford community. 

“We feel as though we have a responsibility as a University of Hartford to be supportive,” he said. 

“Success for the region will mean success for the University of Hartford.”

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