Ashland University and In His Steps Foundation are sponsoring a business lecture by Dr. Carlos Campo, president of Ashland University.

The event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, at noon in the John C. Myers Convocation Center on the Ashland University campus, is part of the Second Annual Gordon E. Heffern Applying Christian Ethics in Business Lecture hosted by AU’s Richard and Sandra J. Dauch College of Business and Economic.

The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP by March 18 to [email protected].

“We are excited to have Dr. Campo here for our second annual event in this series,” said Dr. Jeff Russell, dean of the Dauch College of Business and Economics. “This event reflects Gordon Heffern’s legacy of integrating his strong Christian faith with a successful business career.”

Russell said friends and family of Gordon Heffern have created an endowment with AU, which is supporting the ongoing lecture series. “In His Steps Foundation, founded by Gordon Heffern, also is providing matching financial support and strategic advice to help make this lecture series a success,” he said.

Dr. Campo began his term as the 30th president of Ashland University on June 1, 2015. Prior to joining AU, Dr. Campo had been working as an educational consultant for the Gates Foundation and serving as chair of the Alliance for Hispanic Education for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference in Sacramento, Calif. In this role, he worked to improve educational outcomes for Hispanic students; coordinated and served as featured speaker at the Hispanic Education Alliance Summits; advocated for and worked with national leaders in immigration reform; and served as national spokesperson for educational issues within the Hispanic community.

Prior to that, Dr. Campo served as president of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., from August 2010 to October 2013. In this role, he oversaw and directed the administration, operations, academic affairs and international initiatives of an academic institution with seven graduate schools, an undergraduate college, online adult degree completion, continuing education and a diverse student body of more than 5,500 students.

In his list of accomplishments, Dr. Campo noted that he worked to establish Regent University as the first university in Virginia (and one of 22 nationally) to receive an “A” rating from the Association of College Trustees and Alumni. He also worked to significantly improve the fiscal condition of the University and developed and administered an operational budget with primary fiscal oversight and accountability while achieving record levels for enrollment and fundraising.

Prior to becoming president, Dr. Campo served as Chief Academic Officer and Provost at Regent from 2008 to 2010. In this role, he directed and supported an effective group of associates, deans, associate/assistant deans and chairpersons conducting day-to-day operations of academic affairs, faculty research, development and curriculum revision. As Chief Academic Officer/Provost, he also led all accreditation reaffirmation efforts and licensing requirements, including serving as the school’s official liaison with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Campo was at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, and served as the school’s chief academic officer from 2007 to 2008 and as dean of the College of Arts and Letters from 2005 to 2007.

Through the years, Dr. Campo has received many distinctions and special awards, including:

— Garnering “Educator of the Year” awarded by local and national organizations.

— Receiving the 2014 MLK “Community Leader Award” from the Urban League of Hampton Roads.

— Being named to the 2012 and 2013 Inside Business “Power List” of individuals in Hampton Roads, Va., Region.

— Receiving the Silver Star Spirit Diversity Award, presented by the Urban League of Human Resource Young Professionals in February of 2013.

— Receiving the Excellence in Leadership Award from the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Association in 2011.

— Receiving an Honorary Doctorate from International University in Vienna in 2010.

— Being named to the “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” from 2000 through 2004.

Dr. Campo received his Ph.D. in English with an emphasis in Drama (“Dissertation of the Year”), his Master of Arts Degree in English (Cum Laude) and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater, all from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Campo also has many publications to his credit in the areas of academic papers, workshops and commentaries.

Staff report