WEST HARTFORD – The University of Hartford has appointed Lisa Langsner of West Hartford as Hillel director to oversee Jewish campus life. Langsner previously worked in global planning at the Jewish Federations of North America in New York City and prior to that position, she directed Hillel programming at the University at Albany, SUNY and the University of Rhode Island.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to the University of Hartford,” said Associate Professor of Modern Jewish History Avinoam Patt, who serves as co-director of the University’s Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies and chaired the position search committee. “She brings wonderful experience working with diverse student populations and Jewish communal organizations to the position and will be an excellent partner in continuing to make the University of Hartford a destination for students from around the country.”

During her years with Hillel in New York and Rhode Island, Langsner oversaw programming for thousands of Jewish students and was a partner in interfaith and University-wide dialogue. At the University at Albany Hillel, she developed and instituted a professional internship for community-minded student leaders with the goal of developing unique, effective outreach strategies for previously neglected student populations.

“I am excited to be joining the University of Hartford as its new Hillel director,” said Langsner. “The broad diversity of cultural and religious backgrounds at the University offers many opportunities for enriching experiences in Jewish student life. Students who engage with Hillel on campus know that there are many ways to be involved in Jewish life, and I am eager to help create whatever experience speaks personally to them.”

Langsner has led students on three service trips to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts and has traveled with more than 150 students to Israel on Birthright Israel trips. In between her time on campus and at the Jewish Federations of North America, she spent six months living in Jerusalem as a participant on WUJS-Young Judaea.

Langsner earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetoric from the University at Albany, SUNY.