The University of Toledo

Lawrence J. Burns is The University of Toledo’s Vice President for External Affairs and Interim Vice President for Equity, Diversity & Community Engagement. Since joining the Medical College of Ohio in 1990, he has provided strategic leadership for the University’s recruitment efforts, as well as University marketing and communications, clinical marketing, Web development, fundraising, and diversity and entrepreneurial activities.

Among Mr. Burns’ enrollment responsibilities are financial aid initiatives, direct-from-high-school recruitment, adult and transfer recruitment strategies, and military and foreign student recruitment. He works closely with the University President, Deans and other academic leadership in preparation and implementation on an ongoing basis for each academic year.

Mr. Burns oversees all University marketing and communication initiatives. These efforts include media relations, employee communications, alumni communication vehicles, advertising, Web development, social media, and other marketing initiatives that pertain to University branding. These duties cover all campus locations, the University Medical Center and athletic initiatives. He also serves as administrative liaison with the Department of Athletics, advising on media relations, marketing and communications activities.

He also leads the University Center for Creative Instruction, which creates award-winning media and applications in a variety of formats and enhances education and communication through the use of innovative technology.

In his role as Interim Vice President for Equity, Diversity & Community Engagement, Mr. Burns works in tandem with numerous offices to foster a culture of diversity across UT's campuses. He fundamentally believes in The University of Toledo's drive toward creating a welcoming environment abundant with opportunities for all people while being respectful of their beliefs, backgrounds, needs and viewpoints. These efforts go beyond the UT borders, as Mr. Burns works to develop strategic relationships with minority leadership throughout the community, the state and, in some cases, the country.

These external outreach efforts continue for Mr. Burns through his role as Vice Chairman of University of Toledo Innovation Enterprises. He puts his entrepreneurial spirit to work to forge strategic relationships with emerging business leaders for designed-to-enhance economic development in the region and bolster The University of Toledo’s role as a primary driver of such efforts. These efforts often go beyond the scope of his role in UT Innovation Enterprises and the benefit of the entire University.

Mr. Burns also serves as a part-time faculty member in the Department of Communications in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Along with many UT and professional affiliations, Mr. Burns is an ambassador of The University of Toledo in the community, demonstrating the institution’s values, services and mission. He is immediate Past Chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northwest Ohio and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Toledo Zoological Society Foundation. He recently served as Chairman of the American Cancer Society’s annual golf classic and is a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo and Life Connection of Ohio.

A native of Detroit, Mr. Burns is a 1978 graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interpersonal and Public Communication.

Reporting Departments
Catharine  S. Eberly Center for Women
Center for Creative Instruction
Communications
Office of Equity, Diversity & Community Engagement
Office of Marketing and Communications
Rocket Solution Central
Student Financial Aid
Undergraduate Admission