Meet a Colleague: Lauren Vance Lauren Vance is the director of business advising and recruitment in the Office of Career and Professional Development.

W&L News Office
June 12, 2024

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I joined W&L in December 2019, a few months before Covid – so almost five years!

Q. What do you like most about working at W&L?
I love working with the students and helping them achieve their goals. I also enjoy working with so many wonderful alumni from a recruiting and advising perspective.

Q. Where is your favorite location on the W&L campus?
I enjoy walking around campus, which I do often when I have phone appointments, when students want to “walk and talk,” and on the weekends with my twin children. Watt Field is also a very special place to me, as I really cherish my time volunteering with the women’s lacrosse team.

Q. Where did you grow up?
I grew up right here in Lexington!

Q. What advice do you have for students?
My advice to students is to take advantage of all that W&L has to offer. Get involved in student organizations, go to events, shows and games, meet new people and take interesting classes. I also would advise all students to go to the Office of Career and Professional Development early and often!

Q. What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
I traveled to Paris by myself because I had never been.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
My favorite thing to do when I’m not working is probably to spend time with my two-year old twins, either walking around town or at the pool. We have also been blessed to meet wonderful friends here in Lexington, and we enjoy getting together with them and all the kids.

Q. If you could live anywhere, where would you build your dream home?
I really enjoy living in Lexington, but I think my dream home would be on a beach somewhere.

Q. Who most inspires you?
I am inspired by my friends, who are incredible. Each of them are able to balance so many roles, while still being a good friend. Despite how challenging it can be at times, I strive to balance being a good mother, colleague, coach, daughter, sister and friend.

Q. What book are you reading now?
I am currently in between books, but I love reading thrillers, rom coms, fantasy and historical fiction. For my finance students, I always recommend reading “Too Big To Fail” and “The Big Short” to learn more about the financial crisis.

Q. What music are you listening to these days?
Taylor Swift and summer country.

Q. What is your favorite film of all time?
All of the Harry Potter movies.

Q. What is the website you visit most often and why?
LinkedIn – to identify and connect with alumni working at various companies and across industries.

Q. If they made a movie about your life, who would play you?
Reese Witherspoon during one of the downtown holiday celebrations when our town becomes a Hallmark movie.

Q. If you could have coffee with one person, who would it be and why?
My friends and family who don’t live nearby and that I don’t see often enough.

Q. What is your desert island food?
Pizza and wine.

Q. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I grew up playing the violin and studying Latin. I also am a three-time All-American for women’s lacrosse.

Q. What is your secret talent?
Connecting with others and recognizing their strengths.