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 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 as a top-100 National University and named the nation’s “Best Run” university. President Book has welcomed numerous new full-time faculty members to Elon and has commenced innovative new academic programs in engineering and nursing, a flexible Juris Doctorate program in Charlotte and several new facilities that enrich the learning environment. In spring 2023 President Book announced the successful completion of the Elon LEADS comprehensive campaign, raising more than $260M in support of Elon’s distinctive mission.

An advocate for access to education at all levels, Book is the past-chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, a North Carolina Independent College and Universities board member, and a board member for SACSCOC, Piedmont Triad Partnership, Project Pericles, The Washington Center, the Union Square Campus, NC Campus Engagement and American Council on Education (ACE) board of directors. Locally, she has launched joint initiatives with public schools, Alamance Community College and non-profit agencies committed to innovation and excellence in education.