Dr. Paul Carlsen has served as the president of Lakeshore Technical College since 2017. He leads a dedicated, student-focused team of more than 400, who each make significant contributions to the education of the nearly 11,000 students served by the college each year. Since joining the college, Paul has fostered an environment of empowerment, collaboration, and innovation.

Prior to joining Lakeshore Technical College, Paul served in a variety of leadership roles at the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and was an adjunct instructor of American government at River Parishes Community College. Before working in higher education, Paul served in economic and workforce development roles at Louisiana Economic Development and the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Paul is active in the community, serving on the board of directors for the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, Progress Lakeshore, the Economics Club of Sheboygan County, the St. Nicholas Hospital Advisory Board, and his daughter’s school board. Paul currently serves on the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Research, Data, and Accountability.

Paul and his wife, Christina, are the proud parents to two young daughters. Paul’s family enjoys traveling, watching cartoons, sledding, and new adventures.

Paul holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Colorado, a masters of public policy from the University of Denver, and a doctor of philosophy from the University of Georgia. Paul’s peer-reviewed research has been published in Historical Methods, Southern Economic Journal, and Journal of Early American History.