COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

An open interview between HU Director of Communication Lynette Fager and Dr. Emberton

Dr. Sherilyn Emberton’s strong sense of vision, community, and relationship have led her to serve on numerous boards, including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), where she currently serves as secretary; the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU); and Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP), where she currently serves as board chair.

Fager: Why does serving on boards, specifically the NAICU, CCCU, and NEIRP boards, matter to you?

Emberton: Serving on NAICU allows me direct interaction with national government officials and thought leaders who can significantly impact the progress we are making as we sustain our colleges and universities. Service on the CCCU board is a labor of love in support of all our faith-based institutions. The advocacy work done by them is essential for the future of Christian higher education.

As a major employer of our county and an institution that annually graduates extremely talented and highly skilled students, we remain a key link in retaining and attracting talent to our region. Serving as chair of the NEIRP acknowledges Huntington University’s role in regional economic development.

Fager: How do the relationships built through your service benefit you and the University?

Emberton: As a leader in these organizations, I am privileged to meet many talented people and entities that can walk along the mission of Huntington University. Our faculty, staff, and students also benefit from these relationships and are able to serve and participate in affinity groups associated with them.

Fager: What are the key challenges facing these boards?

Emberton: The key challenges for all these great organizations include understanding changing demographics, making sure there is margin to accomplish the mission, and talent to do the work ahead.

Fager: What are the most inspiring opportunities for these organizations?

Emberton: For NAICU and the CCCU, national pressures from a newly formed federal administration and a divided Congress create a difficult path for developing legacy supporters for private colleges. The advocacy work is tedious but paramount in keeping the important work done by our colleges at the forefront of decision-makers. Regionally, we are making progress in population growth and business attraction, which directly impacts Huntington University by bringing more prospective students to our region and more jobs for our graduates to fill.

The bottom line is that leaders serve where they can and in roles that promote good works. The best role I am privileged to serve in is the role of president at Huntington University!