Dr. Lynn Babington Recognized among “Most Admired Leaders”
President Dr. Lynn Babington has been named a 2023 “Most Admired Leader” by Pacific Business News, recognized for her achievements and successes in leading Chaminade University forward and contributing to the community. Serving as president since 2018, Babington is admired for her inspiring and empowering leadership style, ability to build teams, and execute strategies to reach goals. During her tenure, she has elevated the position of Chaminade, the University’s partners, students, faculty and the community at large, all while fulfilling the University’s mission as a community-first institution.
According to an April 2023 article in Higher Ed Drive, only 33 percent of college presidents at all levels are women, which is only a three percent increase since 2016. Babington brings a perspective and voice to higher education that is vital and needed. She leads the only Catholic university in the Pacific, and some examples of the positive difference her leadership has made include:
- When Argosy University closed in 2019, eliminating the then-only PsyD program in Hawaii, Babington and her leadership team brought its 100 faculty and students to Chaminade ensuring that students could seamlessly continue their studies.
- Working with the deans of Chaminade’s schools, she collaborated to develop crucial new programs needed in our community, including a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, One Year MBA and a MS in Counseling Psychology for neighbor island students.
- Working with community leaders, she contributed to the establishment of partnerships to greatly benefit Hawaiʻi, including with Kamehameha Schools to offer 150 Muʻo Scholarships over three years for the online BS in teaching degree to alleviate the teacher shortage in Hawaiʻi and with the United Nations CIFAL Center to host the only Pacific regional training hub to address global issues.
- With her support, Chaminade launched the Economic Education Center for Excellence with the Hawaiian Council for Economic Education.
- Forming committees, Babington helped to steward Chaminade University’s 2019-2024 Strategic Plan to better serve its diverse student body, enhance its financial support of students and faculty research, increase revenue while cutting costs, and expand its reach to more learners.
- Following state’s protocols, she successfully led the University through the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing online learning and other mitigation interventions to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the campus community.
- Babington helped to ensure the accreditation of several new programs, including the Doctorate of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Psychology programs.
- Understanding the importance of a quality student experience, the completion of Chaminade University’s new Silversword Training Center and Locker Room facility ensured the sustainability and progress of the University’s athletics program.
Babington serves on several boards, including St. Francis Hospital System, Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, and the Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi. She also volunteers for several nonprofit organizations: Catholic Charities, Hawaiʻi Literacy Program, and Hoʻola Na Pua. She will be recognized at an awards dinner on November 9 along with other recipients of the “Most Admired Leader” honor.
