Lake Forest College Names First Female President

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest College trustees named its 14th president this week. Dr. Jill Baren is set to become the first woman to lead the institution in its 165-year history.

Baren is currently provost and vice president for academic affairs at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Before that, she was a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and served as president of the American Board of Emergency Medicine. She has also previously taught at the University of California, Los Angeles and Yale University.

“Jill is a well-rounded, dynamic leader whose experience as a college administrator and faculty leader aligns with the vision and goals of the College,” David Gorter, chairman of the college's board of trustees, said in a statement announcing her hiring.

“She believes small liberal arts colleges are one of the greatest educational assets of our country, and that our success is directly tied to the inspiring success of our students," Gorter said. As our campus leader, Jill will engage frequently and deliberately with students to learn what is important to their futures. She will use this same approach in cultivating relationships with faculty, alumni, staff, and the surrounding community.”

According to Lake Forest College officials, Baren is due to take over in July for retiring President Stephen Schutt, who has led the college for more than two decades. Baren received a unanimous recommendation from a search committee at the college, which hired executive search firm Storbeck Search to assist with recruitment.

William Lowry, the committee's vice chair, said in a statement that Baren would lead the college with authenticity, confidence and an entrepreneurial style.

“She brings significant leadership experience to the Lake Forest College presidency," Lowry said. "Her background in health professions and academia not only bolsters our partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, but also will enable her to think strategically and bring creative ideas to all aspects of the College.”

Baren has published several books on emergency medicine and more than 90 scholarly articles, according to college officials. The partnership with Rosalind Franklin includes the development of a joint program aimed at preparing students for medicine, nursing, pharmacy and other health care industry careers.

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Baren said Lake Forest College has created a "unique brand" with a combination of a strong liberal arts tradition and strong career preparation that makes it a leader in higher education and makes its presidency appealing.

“Students need a strong foundation that includes art appreciation, cultural studies, communication and writing skills, scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving to develop into skilled professionals who can solve the most challenging problems that lie ahead,” Baren said.

The incoming president cited growing enrollment and recent facility upgrades, which include a recent renovation of the 1878 Brown Hall classroom building, a just-opened collaborative space for student entrepreneurs and a $47 million science center that opened in 2019. Last year, Princeton Review ranked the college No. 4 for best science lab facilities.

"Recent investments in state-of-the-art academic buildings and athletic facilities and the recruitment of the largest incoming freshman class in history are clear indications of growth and desirability," she said. "They serve as a wonderful platform on which to advance the mission of Lake Forest College.”