For the second time, The Daily Record and BridgeTower Media have announced Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre among Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs.
Lepre was one of only two members of the higher education community (along with Towson University President Mark Ginsburg) to make this year’s exclusive list of 43 honorees. The award highlights what the Baltimore-based newspaper calls the state’s most talented business CEOs, higher education leaders, and nonprofit executive directors “whose leadership and vision are admired by those around them.”
“It is an honor to be included on this year’s list, especially in the company of so many of the state’s most notable leaders,” said Lepre. “It is an even greater honor to serve as president of Salisbury University, where every day I get to see just how much our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are giving back to their communities and to our state. It’s hard not to feel humbled when I think of all the good that comes from their hard work and their dedication to serving the people of Maryland.”
Since becoming SU’s 10th president in 2022, Lepre has enhanced the Eastern Shore campus in many ways. Under her leadership, SU has established a formalized graduate school; added new academic programs in high-impact areas, most recently including coastal engineering and biochemistry and molecular biology; and signed partnership agreements with agencies including NASA and the Maryland Army National Guard to enhance learning and career opportunities for students. SU also has risen in national rankings by publications including U.S. News & World Report.
In addition, Lepre has worked to expand the University’s study abroad opportunities, including SU Global Campus programs in Scotland and Spain. Other new initiatives have included partnering with the Association of College and University Educators to improve student access through inclusive teaching practices; establishing a First Gen Sea Gull Scholars Program to enhance the recruitment, retention and graduation of first-generation students and help them thrive on campus; and a program to enhance understanding and implementation of strategies to assist students in successfully transitioning off academic probation.
Building on SU’s legacy of environmental excellence, Lepre procured a state investment that will help turn the campus’ 1957 former library building into one of the University System of Maryland’s first net-zero buildings as a student service center. Future infrastructure is slated to include a new performing arts center in downtown Salisbury, recently included in state funding plans beginning in FY28.
Lepre’s influence also has extended to SU Athletics, where she reinstated golf (both men’s and women’s) as a varsity sport for the first time since the 1980s. Likewise, she paved the way for the return of the SU Marching Band after 40 years, with the new ensemble debuting on campus last fall.
More recently, she led the University through the creation and adoption of its 2026-31 strategic plan, based on pillars including transformational learning and academic excellence that connects to everyday needs; support for students and their success at every stage; a community-engaged campus that strengthens and uplifts the region; and responsible stewardship for a strong future.
Since her arrival at SU, Lepre has placed a focus on investing in people; commitment to inclusion, equity and belonging; serving the needs of the state and local communities; high-impact practices; resources; and identity and reputation building.
The Most Admired CEOs award is not the only one presented to Lepre by The Daily Record. Earlier this year, the publication named her to its inaugural MD500 list of “the top leaders that the Maryland business community needs to know.” It also has twice honored her among Maryland’s Top 100 Women.
This year’s Most Admired CEOs will be recognized during an event on Thursday, Monday November 16.
For more information visit https://thedailyrecord.com/event/most_admired_ceos.
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at www.salisbury.edu.
