Pamela Lau

2021-22 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow
Pamela Lau currently serves as the executive vice president at Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois. She first came to Parkland as a faculty member in developmental reading in 1995. Since then, she has assumed different leadership roles to enhance the college’s efforts to improve student access and success, provide quality academic programs, and encourage faculty innovation. Her past positions include Center for Academic Success director, dean of academic services, and vice president for academic services. In November 2019, the Parkland College Board of Trustees named Dr. Lau as president-designee as part of the college’s succession transition plan. She will assume responsibilities as college president in January 2023.

Dr. Lau completed her bachelor’s degree in philosophy (First Class Honors) at the University of Singapore. She earned a master’s degree in philosophy at the University of Chicago. She is credentialed as a developmental education specialist through the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University. She graduated from Ferris State University with a doctorate in community college leadership. In 2017, she received the National Council for Instructional Administrators’ (NCIA) Emerging Chief Academic Officer Award.