Connie Ledoux Book

President, Elon University

Dr. Connie Ledoux Book is a passionate advocate for higher education and its power to transform students’ lives. She spent 16 years as an Elon faculty member and administrative leader, helping to build the university’s reputation for excellence in engaged teaching and learning. In 2015 she accepted a groundbreaking role as the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel. Following her impressive accomplishments there, she returned to Elon as the university’s ninth president in 2018, bringing a deep appreciation for the university’s unique history and its rapid rise to national prominence.

Under President Book’s leadership, Elon launched the 10-year Boldly Elon strategic plan to advance the university’s national leadership in experiential education, mentoring and student success. Elon has been reclassified as a Doctoral/Professional institution, ranked among the top national universities and named the nation’s “Best Run” university. There are many new full-time faculty positions along with innovative new academic programs in engineering, nursing, science and technology. Elon has also made new investments in health and wellness; created a Division of Inclusive Excellence to direct progress on diversity, equity and inclusion; expanded professional development for faculty and staff; and expanded lifelong learning opportunities for alumni. New facilities include Founders Hall and Innovation Hall, the first two buildings in a new Innovation Quad supporting education and research in engineering and the sciences; the 5,000-seat Schar Center; Sankey Hall and Koenigsberger Learning Center; East Residential Neighborhood and LaRose Student Commons; and The Inn at Elon, an on-campus hotel.

In addition to leading Boldly Elon initiatives, Book also spearheaded the successful $250 million Elon LEADS comprehensive campaign, which surpassed its goal by $10M and has funded more than 200 new endowed scholarships and increased resources for students, faculty and programs.

As an advocate for access to education at all levels, Book is the chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), a North Carolina Independent College and Universities board member, and a board member for The Washington Center and for NC Campus Engagement. President Book also serves on the executive committee of the Coastal Athletic Association, Elon’s athletic conference. Locally, she has launched joint initiatives with public schools and Alamance Community College.

Book earned her doctorate from the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from Northwestern State University (Louisiana) and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University.