LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East Conference enters the 2024-25 academic year with a number of changes to the staff. 

Most recently, Lauren Lesser has been added as the Assistant Commissioner for Communications. She will begin her role with the conference office beginning September 13, 2024.

“We are thrilled to have Lauren join our United East team in the coming weeks,” shared United East Commissioner Stephanie Dutton. “Throughout the search process, it was evident that Lauren’s experience and dedication to enhancing the student-athlete experience would help our conference continue to elevate our work. She is not only familiar with Division III as a student-athlete and an administrator but has a track record of outstanding work with SAAC that I am confident will be an asset to the United East.”

Lesser most recently acted as an Academic Resource Coordinator at Juniata College. She also made stops at the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), Duquesne University, the University of Memphis, and Kent State University in a variety of roles within intercollegiate athletics.

Within the United East, Lesser’s responsibilities will primarily involve helping the conference office with its communications efforts. She will work closely with other staff members to enhance the conference’s reach through the website, social media and other outlets. She will also aid in the conference’s award processes, statistics management, historical archiving and other administrative business.

Lesser will also become the primary liaison for the conference’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a role she is no stranger to as she worked closely with the SAAC contingency in her two years at Duquesne. 

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the United East Conference," remarked Lesser. "Excited does not begin to describe how much I am looking forward to joining a team of passionate, dedicated individuals in the United East's commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience. I am eager to jump in and contribute to the ongoing success of the conference and look forward to collaborating with a stellar group of institutions."

A Division III product herself, Lesser graduated from Juniata in 2016 with a degree in Professional Writing. While attending, she was a member of the Eagle softball team.

As Lesser joins the staff, former Communications Intern, Kendis Butler, has wrapped up her duties and departed from the staff at the end of August.

Still leading the staff will be Stephanie Dutton, who is entering her sixth year as the conference’s Commissioner. In addition to the hiring of Lesser, the United East has also elevated the titles of its remaining staff with Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications Sam Carges and Assistant Commissioner for Championships and Governance Jake Ayers rounding out the group. 

 

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram - gounitedeast  |  Twitter - @GoUnitedEast

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.