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Laura R. Pittman is a dedicated higher education leader with more than two decades of experience advancing student success, academic advising, and first-year initiatives at Ball State University. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Academic Advising and Student Success in University College, where she leads a team of more than fifty professional advisors and champions a proactive, holistic approach to student support. Prior to her current role, she was the Director of Student Success Initiatives, where she oversaw a broad portfolio that included first-year programming, student success coaching, commuter support, academic recovery initiatives, and campus-wide success partnerships.

Throughout her career at Ball State, Laura has shaped and strengthened programs that help students thrive—from early-start bridge experiences to advising assessment, retention-focused initiatives, and large-scale orientation efforts. She has supervised and mentored professional staff, graduate students, and peer leaders, and she has played a key role in developing publications, workshops, and outreach designed to empower students academically and personally. Her work is deeply informed by data, collaboration, and a commitment to inclusive, student-centered practice.

Laura is a proud Ball State alum twice over, earning both her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and her Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from the university. Her Cardinal roots run deep: her husband is also a BSU graduate, and two of their children are current Ball State students.

In addition to her campus leadership, Laura is an active contributor to national professional communities including NACADA, NASPA, and NODA, where she has presented, published book reviews, and participated in conferences and institutes. She also serves her local community through long-standing involvement with the Muncie Civic Theatre as the scholarship program coordinator and other service organizations.

Driven by a passion for student development and a belief in the transformative power of higher education, Laura continues to champion initiatives that help students find belonging, build confidence, and achieve success at Ball State and beyond.

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