Oakwood University President Receives HBCU Leadership Award
Oakwood University President Dr. Leslie N. Pollard received the Dr. Dorothy C. Yancy Vanguard Award in June at the Omicron Summer Institute at Wiley University, according to a press release from the school. Oakwood University is one of UNCF’s member institutions. The award, given to presidents of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) who demonstrate steady, transformative leadership, is presented by the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (H.E.L.F.), which provides learning and mentoring opportunities and champions HBCU leaders.
“It is a profound honor to be recognized with the Dr. Dorothy C. Yancy Vanguard Award,” said Dr. Pollard. “Dr. Yancy was one of my role models and offered me sage advice at the beginning of my presidency of Oakwood. While I am humbled to accept this award, it is in no way a testament to my individual efforts, but I accept it on behalf of the collective sacrifices of the Oakwood University administration, faculty, staff, students, and alumni.”
The Dorothy C. Yancy Vanguard Award honors Yancy’s legacy as a scholar among African American women, known for her work as an American academic, professor and administrator.
“Dr. Pollard’s recognition with the Dr. Dorothy C. Yancy Vanguard Award underscores his unwavering commitment to his leadership of Oakwood University through numerous challenges, including COVID, that has sustained his HBCU during a time of instability and uncertainty in higher education, particularly within the HBCU community,” said Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr., Wiley University President and founding principal of H.E.L.F.
“His exemplary leadership has been instrumental in fostering graduate and online educational innovation at Oakwood University, retooling nursing education, building a media center, outdoor pavilions and refurbishing campus buildings, promoting STEM success from CAMP OAKS to nationally recognized medical school admittances, to leadership of Oakwood’s deep engagement through the Community Health Action Center, ensuring that the institution continues to thrive and serve its mission to provide a quality Christian education,” he continued. “The most recent Association of Theological Schools recommendation to offer the University’s first doctoral program in the history of the University is a signal reflection of your expansive vision.”
The Omicron Summer Institute focuses on leadership development within higher education. Dr. Pollard provided the keynote address, titled “Invincible Faith in Uncertain Times: Leadership Vision, Resilience and Clarity in Noisy Environments”.