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President Emeritus and Professor of Education, Elon University

Leo Lambert is a professor of education and president emeritus of Elon University, where he served as president from 1999-2018. During his tenure as president, Lambert led two, ten-year strategic plans for the campus that propelled Elon from a regional college to a university of national distinction. A chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the U.S., was established at Elon in 2010 following major investments in arts and sciences programs, world languages, honors, and support for faculty scholarship. Elon’s professional schools of business, law, health sciences, communications and education also achieved top accreditations and distinctions during his presidency. Today Elon is recognized widely for excellence in experiential learning, including its programs in study abroad, undergraduate research, civic engagement and community service, and interfaith cooperation. More than 100 buildings were added to Elon’s campus during Lambert’s presidency.

Lambert is the coauthor of "The Undergraduate Experience: Focusing Institutions on What Matters Most" and a forthcoming book from the Johns Hopkins University Press (with Peter Felten) titled "Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College." A recognized leader in higher education, Lambert currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Governing Boards and has previously served on the boards of the American Council on Education, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. In 2009, he received the inaugural William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education from the National Society for Experiential Education.

Experience

  • –present
    President, Elon University