May 9—Lake Erie College recently announced that President Brian Posler will step down effective June 30.
Posler's departure will close out his approximately seven-year tenure with the institution, noted an April 26 news release. The board of directors is working to develop a transition plan, with two administrators set to serve as interim leaders after he departs.
"Dr. Posler has made significant strides in getting Lake Erie College to where it is today," said board Chairman Stephen Perry in the release. "It has been a pleasure working with him, and I wish him the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his career."
The outgoing president noted that his tenure included the start of new partnerships with the city of Painesville.
One of those partnerships is the Painesville Promise, which Posler described as a program for "high-need, meritorious students who are residents of Painesville."
Students who qualify receive federal and state funding as well as local support from the city and college. Commuter students pay no out-of-pocket costs for tuition or fees, though residential students still pay for room and board.
The city's website noted that in addition to academic and financial requirements, eligible students must live in the city and attend Harvey or Riverside high schools.
Another recent partnership between the city, the college, local developers and Laketran involves the construction of new student housing on Painesville Square. A portion of the new facility is expected to open to students by early August.
The college's Now and Forever fundraising campaign also launched during his presidency.
"It had been a long time since Lake Erie College had done a comprehensive fundraising campaign, and so we set the ambitious goal of $40 million, which is a huge step forward for our college," Posler said.
He said the campaign has reached half of its goal so far, with funds coming from alumni, the local community and other supporters.
The release added that under Posler's tenure, the college faced the COVID-19 pandemic; advanced diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; constructed new equestrian facilities; and upgraded the school's technology infrastructure.
"Lake Erie has always been a wonderful small college," he said. "I think we're doing a better job of connecting to our local students, which has been very nice, and I think that we've definitely seen improvement in facilities and opportunities for students over the last several years. And so I think Lake Erie College has good momentum and will continue to get better and better in the Lake County community."