Elizabeth City State University’s (ECSU) Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds has received the 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a career dedicated to shaping and advancing public education in North Carolina. Education can often be a thankless job, but for ECSU’s Interim Chancellor, over 30 years of expertise in primary, secondary and higher education combined have not gone unnoticed.
The President's Lifetime Achievement Award, established by President George H. Bush, seeks out individuals that have changed the trajectory of their communities and society. This award is the highest honor given by the President of the United States in recognition of dedication to community service. This honor acknowledges Edmonds' years of service in North Carolina and her commitment to creating a better world through public education.
Prior to joining ECSU as interim chancellor, Edmonds served as Chief of Staff at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). However, Edmonds' legacy reaches beyond her previous role at NCCU, leaving big footprints and an impact felt far and wide.
Edmonds' journey began as a high school math teacher and school principal in Granville County Schools. Her passion for better schools propelled her to become a North Carolina New Schools Project director and an instructional improvement officer for Guilford County Schools. Edmonds went on to serve as superintendent of two northeastern North Carolina school districts, Bertie County Schools and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools.
In addition to her roles in local school districts, Edmonds served in various state level roles to improve public schools and student success including state director of the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program and director of educational and leadership development for the UNC System, and deputy state superintendent at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
During stints of her career, Edmonds provided professional development, coaching, and technical assistance to aspiring school leaders in high-need schools. Edmonds also led reform efforts to turn around low-performing schools and improve educational outcomes for underperforming students. In 2012, the District and School Transformation Team led by Edmonds received the State Superintendent’s Team Leadership Award for their outstanding performance in turnaround work.
In a ceremony held at NCCU, Edmonds was honored alongside other outstanding leaders whose lifelong contributions have profoundly impacted society. The award includes a Lifetime Pin, a Medallion, and a letter signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Edmonds, a first-generation college graduate, is a proud product of North Carolina’s public higher education system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Edmonds began her graduate work at North Carolina Central University and ultimately earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and a Doctor of Education degree in educational administration, both at North Carolina State University.