Lee Lambert Honored as NACCE 2023 Entrepreneurial President of the Year
Summary
“A dedicated member of NACCE, he continues his entrepreneurial journey at Foothill-DeAnza College in California, where his visionary leadership is poised to inspire further success.”Under Chancellor Lamberts leadership, PCC achieved several notable milestones, including:- Community Partnership Mobilization: When faced with a withdrawal of state funding in 2014, Chancellor Lambert forged vital community partnerships to expand educational opportunities and access for students. PCC, one of only two institutions in the nation to experience such funding cuts, successfully initiated innovative measures, including new revenue streams, financial aid, and scholarships to alleviate student financial burdens.- Integrated Basic Education Skills Training (IBEST): Chancellor Lambert introduced IBEST within Adult Basic Education, enabling GED seekers to simultaneously earn certificates in high-tech fields.- Centers of Excellence (CoE): To ensure PCC’s responsiveness to workforce needs, the college established six Centers of Excellence, driven by industry input. The creation of the Instructional Designer Training Academy (IDTA) addressed the need for virtual, hybrid, and high-flex learning modules.- Significant Foundation Gifts: PCC’s Foundation received three substantial gifts within the past three years, including: a $5 million challenge grant; a $2.5 million gift supporting Advanced Manufacturing and Aviation Technology programs; and a $1 million gift focused on economic improvement in the Tucson area.- Workforce Development Initiatives: Chancellor Lambert initiated "Fast Track" certificates, enabling students to acquire 21st-century skills and career training leading to thriving living wages. These stackable certificates can eventually result in associate degrees.“Chancellor Lambert also fostered critical partnerships with organizations such as The Center of Opportunity, the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training Program, Earn to Learn, the Mexican Consulate, and others, contributing to the communitys advancement,” Corbin said.Harvard University recognized PCC as an exemplary institution, highlighted in a book published by Harvard Education Press, Americas Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity (June 2023).Chancellor Lambert is a first-generation college student who interrupted his education to serve in the U.S. Army. The association represents 340+ community and technical colleges, universities and HBCUs, including over 2,000 faculty, staff, administrators, and presidents who serve more than three million students.