Former Harper president receives leadership award
Dr. Ken Ender, president emeritus of Harper College, has been selected as a recipient of the American Association of Community Colleges' 2021 Leadership Award.
An annual tradition since 1982, the AACC Leadership Award was presented to seven individuals whose accomplishments and professional contributions to the community college field have been outstanding. Ender received the award during the AACC Digital virtual meeting May 6.
"I am extremely humbled to receive this award. I have known many of the past recipients personally and admired their work tremendously. To be in their company is the honor of my career," Ender said.
"It is not only a tribute to me, but also to the many professionals I have had the honor of working with over the years in the various leadership roles. In many, many ways, this leadership award is for all of us."
Ender served as president of the Palatine community college from 2009-2019, helping to position Harper as a leading 21st century community college by increasing graduation, transfer and certificate completion rates; aligning Harper's curriculum with high schools; training students for new economy jobs; and implementing new accountability and transparency standards.
Under Ender's leadership, the college worked with its high school and business partners to develop the Harper Promise Scholarship, which offers eligible high school students an opportunity to earn up to two years of tuition for demonstrating a strong work ethic and community service.
The first cohort of Promise Scholars, which has been meeting program bench marks since signing up as high school freshmen, graduates from Harper later this month.
Ender currently is a professor of practice in the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University, advising and teaching doctoral students in the community college leadership program and assisting with the professional development of community college presidents in North Carolina.
"I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Dr. Ender for this prestigious award and thank him for his many years of leadership," said Dr. Avis Proctor, president of Harper College.
"Dr. Ender's vision, commitment to student success, and efforts to forge critical partnerships will have a lasting impact on our region and the community college sector."