Lakewood grad serves as interim superintendent
Eugenia Lawson is getting district ready for new year
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD — Neither chance nor desire could be given credit for Eugenia Lawson's 20-year career in education.

According to her, it was all destiny.

Lawson, 46, said she always knew she was born to lead. Her intuition, determination and the play of destiny's hand has led to her present position as the interim superintendent of schools in the Lakewood School District.

"The request and opportunity [to serve as interim superintendent] came about when I was not working. I am a graduate of Lakewood's public schools, I know the needs of the community and I still have family that lives here. It was tough to say no. It was an initial response to help out. I have the opportunity and I have the time," Lawson said this week.

Lawson was named interim superintendent following the retirement of previous superintendent Ed Luick. Her position is effective for 60 days and is scheduled to end Sept. 1. However, the Board of Education has the option to offer Lawson a contract after that date.

Lawson has expressed interest to continue in the position. If asked to stay, she hopes that the board provides a seamless transition.

Lawson is no stranger to change. From a very young age she had to learn to adapt to life's detours.

In 1971 she emigrated from Cuba to New York with her family. She lived in New York for two years before moving to Lakewood in 1973. She attended Lakewood public schools and graduated with honors from Lakewood High School in 1980.

She furthered her education at Georgian Court College (now University) and earned her Bachelor of Arts/Teacher Preparation degree in 1984 with honors.

With a strong commitment to education instilled in her by her mother, Pearl, Lawson earned a Master of Arts in administration, supervision and curriculum planning in 1996.

She is now a doctoral candidate at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale Davie, Fla., and expects to complete her dissertation by next summer.

Although Lawson has prospered and contributed to education, admittedly it was not her first career choice. She said her initial objective was to become an international lawyer.

During high school she made strides toward that goal by working for attorney Sheldon Franklin as a cooperative education student.

Lawson worked for Franklin for about four years and initially enrolled at Rider University, Lawrenceville, to pursue her bachelor's degree. At that time Rider did not have dormitories and Lawson returned home and took classes at Ocean County College, Toms River.

While there, Lawson completed OCC's honors program and was offered a scholarship to Georgian Court.

With a legacy already established there by her siblings, and an adequate financial package offered, Lawson decided to enroll in Georgian Court's business program.

Once again her path in life changed when Eric Lawson, an entrepreneur who owns a construction company, asked for her hand in marriage. The Lawsons are the parents of three children, ages 19, 17 and 12.

Due to many detours and the responsibilities of family life, Lawson's dream of becoming an international lawyer was put on hold, making a career in education the most feasible option.

Lawson's resume reflects that she has more than 20 years of leadership experience at the federal, state and local levels. She is fluent in Spanish and conversant in French.

Prior to accepting the position as Lakewood's interim superintendent, Lawson served as the Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools, a division of the state Department of Education, from 2003-08.

Other capacities in which Lawson served include New Jersey Legislative appointments; New Jersey Workforce and Labor appointments; Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees; 2008 Trustee representative to National Bellweather Awards; Georgian Court University Board of Trustees, and others.

As Lakewood's interim superintendent, Lawson said she is hoping to improve the fiscal health of the community and school district, as well as the safety and security of students and staff members.

"I hope to provide leadership and restore Lakewood back to the place that I once knew," she said.

Although Lawson has accomplished a lot in her life, she humbly admits that she is not the only who has done so. She encourages others to tap into their strengths and to maintain a level of focus and determination no matter what detours life puts in their path.

"I am an immigrant and I was raised by a single mother with five other siblings. My mother taught us to be strong, to build a personal relationship with God, to have strong character, family values and work ethic," Lawson said. "These are the values I pass down to my three daughters, my students and wherever I may go."

Those who have worked with Lawson say Lakewood made the right choice in naming her the interim superintendent.

Rosemary Jeffries, the president of Georgian Court University, Lakewood, said, "I believe Eugenia Lawson will make a terrific leader in the Lakewood public school system. She has certainly proven this in her capacity as the superintendent in Monmouth County. Eugenia, in addition to being a good administrator and educator, is a really fine person whose values will certainly be a good role model for the students and a good colleague to the faculty and staff in Lakewood."

Peter Burnham, the president of Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, said, "Eugenia Lawson, in her role as Monmouth County superintendent of schools, served with distinction on Brookdale's Board of Trustees for four years, from 2003 to 2007. She has received welldeserved accolades for her role as chair of the board's Educational Services committee.

"Perhaps Ms. Lawson's crowning achievement was the leadership she provided this past year in Brookdale's bid to earn reaccreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Not only did the college succeed in earning reaccreditation, but Brookdale is the only state community college over the past two years to earn commendations from the commission," Burnham said.

At the summer winds down, Lawson is spending most of her time in meetings with staff members and administrators as she prepares the Lakewood School District for the 2008-09 academic year, which will begin on Sept. 4.