People

Laurie Casteen, PhD

Senior Search Associate

Associate, Education, Executive Search, Higher Education

Laurie Casteen joined Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group as a Senior Search Associate in the Education Practice in May 2022. Laurie came to the company after a 26-year career in student affairs at the University of Virginia. Throughout her time at UVA, Laurie held roles in Orientation and New Student Programs, the Office of the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer, and finally as Associate Dean in the Office of the Dean of Students. Laurie’s other areas of higher education experience include: academic affairs; threat assessment, safety and crisis response; support for marginalized communities, first generation/low income student support, and support for student veterans; technology systems and project management, among others. For the last decade of her career at UVA, Laurie led the non-clinical 24/7 crisis response team, served on the threat assessment team, and focused on student safety and wellness concerns.

For the last six years Laurie has also served as a volunteer for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional accrediting body, leading teams of higher education administrators to conduct accreditation reviews at colleges and universities throughout the southeastern United States.

An avid domestic and international traveler, Laurie had the great fortune to serve as an administrator on two Semester at Sea voyages, and travels whenever possible with friends and family. In her free time, Laurie enjoys hiking in national parks, kayaking, playing squash, and volunteering in the community for civic boards and for county search and rescue.

Education

MEd, Higher Education Administration
University of Virginia

PhD, Higher Education Administration
University of Virginia

BA, French Language and Literature
Bates College