Vanessa Lefton joined the staff of the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence in August 2003. She oversees the tutorial and academic mentor programs and serves as the academic counselor for men's golf. Mrs. Lefton is also the department's business liaison to the Controller's Office, Human Resources, the Federal Work-Study program through Financial Affairs and various other university departments.

While working fulltime at FAU, she graduated summa cum laude earning two Bachelor of Arts degrees: the first in Holocaust and Judaic Studies and the second in Social Sciences. Mrs. Lefton also earned a Certificate in Ethnic Studies. She is planning to seek her Master's degree at FAU.

Prior to joining the FAU family Mrs. Lefton worked as a site director for an LD learning program in Hebrew day school, and as an office manager in the medical field. Additionally, she assisted her husband with his gourmet delicatessen business. Mrs. Lefton lives in Boca Raton with her husband, Peter. They often host large family gatherings with their children and grandchildren who live nearby.