Campus Compact recognizes Pierce College District chancellor and CEO for commitment to civic and community engagement
(Boston, Mass.) - Campus Compact is pleased to announce that Dr. Julie White, chancellor and CEO of Pierce College District, has been awarded Campus Compact’s Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership. The award recognizes presidents and chancellors from community colleges who have exemplified a deep and sustained commitment to civic and community engagement throughout their careers.
“It is an honor to be selected for the Eduardo J. Padron Award,” said Pierce College Chancellor Julie White, Ph.D. “This award reflects the dedication to civic and community engagement across our nation's community colleges. I'm heartened every day by the work at Pierce College to create an environment where all can belong, advance towards their goals, and thrive as individuals and in communities. I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to continued collaboration in pursuit of economies and systems that work for all."
White is recognized for her deep commitment to equity, student success, and institutional transformation. She has served at a variety of institutions, including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and research universities with roles in teaching, student services, academic administration, research administration, health education, and women's services.
She joined Pierce College in 2019 as President of Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and was appointed District Chancellor in January 2023. She has been a Presidents Fellow and a Rising Presidents Fellow with the Aspen Institute's College Excellence Program. A first-generation college student from a rural community, White is passionate about the role of community colleges in creating healthy, equitable, and thriving communities.
“Chancellor White leads with clarity, compassion, and conviction,” said Adán Espino Jr., director of external affairs at Mi Centro, in a letter supporting White’s nomination for the award. “As the sole Latino servicing organization in Pierce County, and close community partner to Pierce College, we have had the privilege of witnessing Dr. White’s transformative leadership firsthand – it is deeply rooted in equity, student success, and authentic community engagement.”
"Dr. White’s tireless leadership at Pierce College and across the higher education field has made a transformative impact locally and nationally,” said Bobbie Laur, Campus Compact president. “By recognizing her with the Padrón Award, we are proud to elevate the work she is doing to create more effective and equitable systems that promote education as a pathway to economic mobility and social justice.”
The Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership is presented as part of Campus Compact's Impact Awards, which recognizes shining examples of meaningful, impactful higher education civic and community engagement work. Read more about the other awards and this year's recipients here.
The recipients of these awards will be recognized at Compact26, Campus Compact’s annual conference, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois, from March 16-18, 2026.
Pierce College, serving more than 14,000 students annually, is a two-college district with campuses at Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup, along with teaching centers at Joint Base Lewis McChord, and extension sites across Pierce County.
ABOUT CAMPUS COMPACT:
Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities that supports, engages, and challenges higher education to realize its public purpose. Campus Compact empowers colleges and universities to advance their academic and civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. Founded in 1985, Campus Compact is the nation's largest and oldest national association solely dedicated to advancing the civic and community engagement mission of higher education. Our members make up a force of thousands of presidents, faculty, researchers, students, and civic and community engagement experts.
Campus Compact envisions colleges and universities as vital agents and architects of a diverse democracy, committed to educating students for responsible citizenship in ways that both deepen their education and improve the quality of community life. We challenge all of higher education to make civic and community engagement an institutional priority. Learn more at compact.org.