Director of Holistic Advising Bio

Lauren Hensley

Director of Holistic Advising

Education

• B.A., University of Richmond
• M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University

About

Lauren Hensley joined Ohio Wesleyan University in 2023. She leads OWU in developing, implementing, and coordinating a holistic approach to advising that incorporates Academic Advising, Career Connection, Student Life, Libraries, Athletics, and the OWU Connection. Her goal is to make holistic advising an essential and transformational part of every student's OWU experience.

Hensley was previously Interim Director of the Walter E. Dennis Learning Center at The Ohio State University. Her work focused on developing and managing college success courses, leading the center’s instructional team, and collaborating on research-to-practice initiatives that enhanced student learning and motivation. 

Hensley holds Level 4 certification from the National College Learning Center Association, the highest certification in her field, and her professional involvement includes serving as a former president and member of the executive board of the Ohio College Learning Center Association.

A classically trained soprano, Hensley loves to sing with others and is an active member of Capriccio Columbus and Capriccio Jubilee. In addition, she enjoys playing strategy board games, exploring new places, and being in nature.

Areas of Interest / Expertise

• College student development
• Educational psychology
• Learning and motivation

As a practitioner-scholar, Hensley's program of research focuses on college student success, with a special emphasis on understanding students' motivational needs and designing educational interventions. Her work has been published in outlets including the Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, Journal of College Student Development, and Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice.