President Charles Edmonds, Ed.D., brings more than 25 years of higher education leadership that is punctuated by experience in strategic and institutional planning, program innovation, fundraising and financial management, enrollment, marketing, and alumni engagement. He is known for his authentic, engaging, and inclusive leadership approach, and has proven himself as a leader who will work across campus to build consensus around a shared institutional vision.
Edmonds possesses a deep understanding of the higher education marketplace and an unwavering commitment to undergraduate residential education, academic excellence, community engagement, and financial stewardship. He has championed access for the College’s increasingly diverse student population and removed barriers for high-achieving students to receive an undergraduate education.
Named Lycoming College executive vice president in 2017, Edmonds served as chief external affairs officer overseeing advancement, enrollment management, marketing & communications, government & community relations, and institutional projects. He raised significant philanthropic support, and strengthened relationships and engagement with Lycoming’s alumni base, as well as with the local Williamsport community and local and state elected officials.
Edmonds has been integral to the Gateway Economic Development Project, securing philanthropic, private, and public support for the College’s Krapf Gateway Building, which has stimulated revitalization in the surrounding Williamsport Old City neighborhood. He led Lycoming’s most successful comprehensive campaign in its history, which concluded in June 2019 after raising $79.2 million.
Playing a lead role in the development of the College’s 2021 Strategic Plan, Edmonds led the Lycoming College community in the development of a campus facility planning strategy, working with multiple constituents across campus. His guidance resulted in the decisions to launch a varsity women’s field hockey team and to reestablish a varsity men’s baseball team, working in partnership with stakeholders including the mayor, city council, and other local officials to construct a new baseball stadium at a nearby public park that will serve as a premier field for local, regional, and national events.
Edmonds is also a community leader, serving on several boards. He is currently the chair of the Lycoming County United Way, trustee and chair of the development committee at Wyoming Seminary and Preparatory School, trustee and vice president of Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, director serving his second term and treasurer of Loyalsock Township School Board, board member of Williamsport Chamber of Commerce; board member and treasurer of Lycoming Economic Development Foundation; and board member of Pennsylvania Economy League.
Edmonds previously served as vice president for advancement at Lycoming, director of major gifts at Yale University, director of annual giving at Duke University Divinity School, and development associate with the Duke Youth Academy. Prior to that he worked at Lycoming as assistant director of admissions and development associate.
Edmonds holds a bachelor’s degree in history and music from Lycoming, a master’s of divinity from Duke University, and a doctoral degree in higher education management from University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Williamsport with his spouse, Erin, and their two sons, Jacob and Luke.