ECSU Leader Recognized for Excellence in Career Readiness, Student Success and Transformational Leadership
Elizabeth City, NC — Amber Lennon, Ph.D., executive director of Career and Professional Development and the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), has been selected as a member of the prestigious Higher Education Leadership Foundation (H.E.L.F.) Sigma Cohort, a highly competitive, national leadership development program for emerging and senior leaders in higher education.
H.E.L.F. is a nationally recognized initiative committed to cultivating the next generation of transformative leaders in higher education. Through its cohort-based model, H.E.L.F. provides fellows with executive-level training, mentorship and strategic leadership development to advance student success, institutional effectiveness and equity in higher education. The Sigma Cohort represents a select group of leaders from across the nation who have demonstrated exceptional impact, innovation and potential for executive leadership roles.
Lennon’s selection reflects her outstanding leadership and measurable contributions to student success at ECSU. In her current role, she provides strategic direction for career readiness initiatives, experiential learning opportunities, and institutional assessment aligned with accreditation standards. Under her leadership, ECSU has achieved significant outcomes, including increasing First Destination Survey (FDS) knowledge rates from 65% to over 75%, securing more than $500,000 in SECU Foundation funding to support paid internships, and doubling employer participation in career fairs. Her work continues to expand equitable access to career opportunities and strengthen pathways from education to post-graduation success.
“As a proud alumnus of the H.E.L.F. program, I understand the transformative impact it has on shaping bold, strategic leaders who are committed to advancing student success and institutional excellence. Lennon’s selection to the Sigma Cohort is a reflection of her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to preparing our students for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Her work directly advances our Strategic Priority of Student Learning and Success by ensuring our students are not only educated, but fully equipped to thrive in a competitive global workforce. We are proud of her continued growth and confident that her participation in H.E.L.F. will further elevate the impact of Elizabeth City State University,” said Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr., Kappa Cohort.
“Dr. Lennon’s selection to the H.E.L.F. Sigma Cohort is a testament to her innovative leadership, commitment to student success, and her ability to drive meaningful, data-informed outcomes that impact our students and institution,” said Kevin J. Wade, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and a H.E.L.F. Nu Cohort Fellow Alum. “As a fellow alum of this prestigious program, I know firsthand the caliber of leadership development it provides, and I am confident that Dr. Lennon will both contribute to and benefit from this experience in ways that will further elevate ECSU.”
Lennon brings over a decade of experience in higher education across public universities and community colleges. Prior to joining ECSU in 2021, she served in career development roles at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she supported undergraduate students in career exploration, professional development, and employer engagement. She holds a doctorate in Higher Education Executive Leadership, a master’s degree in School Counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
“I am honored to be selected for the H.E.L.F. Sigma Cohort and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside a dynamic group of leaders from across the country,” said Lennon. “This experience will allow me to further strengthen my leadership capacity as we continue to create innovative pathways that support student success and career readiness at ECSU.”
Lennon’s selection further positions ECSU as a leader in developing forward-thinking higher education professionals who are committed to student achievement, innovation and institutional excellence.