Reggie Lawrence reflects on the way UW-Whitewater helped inspire his education career

Reggie Lawrence reflects on the way UW-Whitewater helped inspire his education career

April 24, 2026

Reginald "Reggie" Lawrence II readily describes his journey to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as "very unorthodox," but one that has played a foundational role throughout his three-and-a-half decades as an educator.

"Whitewater was extremely impactful, because there were so many people there who gave me an idea of what I could become," said Lawrence, who currently serves as superintendent of Harvey School District 152 in south suburban Chicago.

Lawrence, who earned a B.S. in elementary education in 1990 and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction in 1992 will share his inspiring story as commencement speaker at the May 2026 commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

A family connection brought UW-Whitewater to mind when he was considering what to do after graduating high school. His cousin, who at the time was incarcerated, was furthering his education with the help of UW-Whitewater faculty.

"When I would go and visit him, he would always tell me, 'You don't have to be like me. You can do better. I want you to go to college.'"

Arriving on campus in the fall of 1986 was, he says, a great awakening that helped him dream big and aim high.

"Once I got on that campus, there were so many other people who touched my life," Lawrence said.

He credits several influential educators at the time for having a profoundly positive impact, including the late Roger Pulliam, who had a long and distinguished career at UW-Whitewater as an equity and inclusion advocate among other roles.

Others included Freda Briscoe, director of the university's multicultural business programs, Elizabeth Ogunsola, who worked in academic support services, and Cleveland James, who served as a recruiter.

Lawrence recalls participating in an interest survey that narrowed him down to four disparate career options: aerospace engineer, broadcaster, journalist and teacher. While broadcasting was alluring, he settled on education and has not looked back.

"It was the right decision, from year one; I've never left it," Lawrence said. "Whitewater helped me make that decision, based on my interest and skill sets. I just continued to move up the ladder, and, as I look back on it, I have to give kudos to the people in Whitewater."

His early career in education was back in his hometown. He taught at several elementary and middle schools within Milwaukee Public Schools before transitioning over to administrative roles - first in Whitefish Bay for a year, and then back to MPS in various roles for more than two decades.

In 2019, he moved to Illinois for a new role after earning a Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from National Louis University in Milwaukee, and, in the process, becoming a licensed superintendent.

For four years, Lawrence served as superintendent of Rock Island-Milan School District 41 in Rock Island before beginning his current role in Harvey School District 152 in 2024.

In his leadership role within the K-8 district, Lawrence has undertaken a number of initiatives that have improved District 152's finances, fostered new professional development opportunities and outlined capital projects within school buildings.

As he describes his approach as an educator, he points back to UW-Whitewater, noting the encouragement and support he received as a young adult has been a key component to his approach to working with faculty, parents, students and community members.

"For me, my time at Whitewater was life-changing, because those experiences helped me believe what I could become."

As a student on campus, Lawrence took part in a number of different activities. In addition to pursuing athletics, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Black Student Union and its gospel choir. Lawrence also harnessed the opportunity to speak to lawmakers in Madison on several occasions at Pulliam's encouragement.

Outside of his career, Lawrence has been involved in a range of activities. In the past, he served on the board of Two Rivers YMCA, Junior Achievement of the Heartland, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, Quad City Chamber and the Moline Foundation. He also is an 18-year veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and serves as a director on the board of the UW-Whitewater Foundation. An avid lover of jazz, he attends live concerts across the U.S.

In addition to maintaining his relationship with Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest intercollegiate Black-led fraternity, Lawrence is a member of the NAACP, National Alliance of Black School Educators and the American Association of School Administrators.

Lawrence's love of education is matched in his household. His wife, Pandora Lawrence, is a retired school administrator. Their daughter, Kaela Lawrence, is a recent University of Maryland graduate.