Lt. Col. Laura Hamilton
Lieutenant Colonel Laura Hamilton, an Army logistics officer with nearly two decades of leadership and operational experience, has been selected to join the faculty at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in its Department of Military Science, serving as chairperson of the department and leading IUP’s Warrior Battalion in 2nd Brigade, US Army Cadet Command.
She began her work at IUP on July 27.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lt. Col. Hamilton to IUP and the Warrior Battalion,” Vice Provost for Academic Success and Dean of the University College Amber Racchini said. “Her impressive military background and passion for developing leaders make her an outstanding addition to the university. I personally look forward to working with her and seeing her engage with our students and community during upcoming events such as the twenty-fifth-anniversary remembrance of September 11 and our Veterans Day events,” she said.
“IUP ROTC develops high-quality officers of character, competence, and commitment, who are prepared to lead with integrity in an increasingly complex world,” Lt. Col. Hamilton said.
“IUP’s Warrior Battalion cultivates a culture of excellence that challenges cadets academically, physically, and professionally while strengthening their connection to the university and community we serve. I am very proud to join the IUP community and to work with the outstanding faculty and staff of the Department of Military Science and the exemplary students in the Warrior Battalion.”
Lt. Col. Hamilton was commissioned into the Army in May 2007 through Penn State University, where she earned a bachelor of arts in psychology.
Throughout her career, Lt. Col. Hamilton has served in a variety of leadership, logistics, planning, and staff positions in the United States and Europe. Her assignments have included service with the 2nd Infantry Division and I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; 10th Army Air and Missile Command and the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in Kaiserslautern, Germany; Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; and US Army South. She also commanded Service Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Germany. Her most recent assignment was as the battalion commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, US Army South.
Lt. Col. Hamilton deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Infantry Division in 2009.
Her professional military education includes the Basic Officer Leader Course, Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, Command and General Staff College, and the School of Advanced Military Studies. She holds a master of arts in military operations from SAMS through its Advanced Military Studies program.
Her career has focused on organizational leadership, logistics, strategic and operational planning, and building effective teams in complex environments. Her military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and Meritorious Unit Citation, among others.
LTC Hamilton and her husband, Lt. Col. Cale Hamilton, an Army Medical Service officer, are the parents of triplets—James, Lily, and Aeris.
In fall 2025, IUP welcomed 855 veteran and military-affiliated students; of this number, 816 students are in undergraduate or graduate programs. IUP has one of the largest ROTC programs in Pennsylvania. More than 3,500 IUP graduates have served in the military, including in leadership roles; IUP has graduated 12 generals as well as a number of US Navy admirals.
IUP opened its Military Resource Center (now the Military and Veterans Resource Center) in spring 2014, working collaboratively with IUP programs and services to provide one-stop information to help these students transition to college life and achieve their academic goals. IUP has consistently been recognized as a Military Friendly School by national publications.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. IUP’s Impact 150 comprehensive campaign is designed to honor a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, public service, and leadership in healthcare education, including the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in the commonwealth.