Auburn College of Education professor receives university’s highest honor for leadership

Lisa Kensler has a clear definition of leadership – one that has guided her well since she first articulated it as a doctoral student 20 years ago. 

“I define leadership as cultivating conditions where everyone grows and achieves both personal and collective goals through learning and transformation,” said Kensler, the Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Endowed Professor in Educational Leadership in Auburn University’s College of Education. “Leadership is not simply about having authority, power or position over others, but rather about designing systems and processes that support learning, innovation and change within a vibrant culture and climate.”

Ultimately, Kensler said, leadership is centered on the understanding that organizations thrive when everyone is empowered to lead within healthy systems of accountability.

“By cultivating an inclusive, participatory and generative environment built on trust, we can create the conditions for continuous learning and transformation — for ourselves and for the organizations we serve,” she said.

Kensler’s words of wisdom come from years of being a leader on Auburn University’s campus, and recently she was recognized by Auburn for just that, receiving the esteemed President’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Leadership at the university’s annual Faculty Awards ceremony held in November. The award, established in 2024, honors faculty members who have shown exceptional leadership and service to Auburn University and who demonstrate a deep commitment to the campus community and a significant impact on Auburn’s mission.

Kensler, a faculty member at Auburn since 2008, has had quite an impact in the College of Education and across Auburn’s campus. She said she’s grateful for her most recent recognition, yet “at the same time, it makes me a bit uncomfortable because I genuinely believe leadership isn’t about individual achievement and recognition. Instead, it’s about cultivating the conditions where teams learn together to accomplish meaningful, aspirational goals. My hope is that this award reflects Auburn’s commitment to fostering and celebrating leaders across campus who champion collaboration and collective learning.”

From the beginning of her career in the College of Education’s Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology, Kensler has been recognized for her contributions to the college, from program development to leadership opportunities. She served as the program coordinator for one of the largest and most complex programs, Educational Leadership, and ensured more than 100 graduate students met degree and certification requirements. 

“We congratulate Dr. Kensler on receiving this distinguished designation and celebrate her success and years of service to Auburn,” said Jeffrey Fairbrother, dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor of Auburn's College of Education. 

She chaired the College of Education Governance Committee, which meets regularly with the dean to communicate and address concerns among faculty and staff, from 2018-2021 and was an active member from 2012-2018. 

“One of the most remarkable aspects of Dr. Kensler's leadership is her unwavering dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for both faculty and students,” said Betty Lou Whitford, Dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor Emerita. 

Kensler also served on the College of Education’s New Building Committee and actively shared her expertise in sustainability and green buildings. On a trip organized by facilities to see higher education buildings, she coordinated additional visits to innovative K-12 schools nearby so the committee members could offer valuable insights into modern-day programming for the new building.

She has worked closely with The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit known dedicated to transforming the way buildings and communities are designed and operated. She has conducted pioneering research into change leadership for environmental sustainability that has influenced schools and leaders across the country. 

In addition to her participation in the college, Kensler served as the University Senate Chair from 2023-2024 and worked to establish lasting leadership programs and cultivate trust among the faculty, staff and administration. Kensler was also involved in creating and implementing Auburn University’s Aspire Leadership Development Programs. She provided valuable feedback and alternate viewpoints to help shape the program and volunteered to participate in the six-week pilot course. 

“Lisa understands that trust is the essence of effective leadership. She authentically lives by her leadership philosophy, and her leadership in multiple roles across campus has directly contributed to enhancing Auburn University’s mission while positively impacting thousands of lives,” said Chris Ritchie, director of Human Resource Development at Auburn.

Throughout her time on the Plains, Kensler has consistently dedicated herself to cultivating conditions where everyone can grow and succeed, especially her peers at Auburn.  

“I look forward to continuing to serve Auburn through leadership and service that fosters collaboration, shared governance and collective success.”