Lone Star College-University Park President Shah Ardalan, Ed.D., has been named to the Board of Trustees of the College Board, a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.
Dr. Ardalan will serve a four-year term, from 2020 through 2024, on the 31-member governing board, which consists of nationally-recognized leaders from both secondary and higher education institutions. Ardalan is one of just two board members from Texas.
“It is an honor to serve such an esteemed organization as the College Board, which plays a pivotal role in creating pathways for students to pursue higher education,” said Ardalan. “My participation on the board is a reflection of the respect that LSC-University Park and the entire Lone Star College System have earned on the national level. Working alongside the other board members, I will bring the crucial community college ‘voice’ to the important discussions and decisions facing the College Board.”
Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.
“We are honored that Dr. Ardalan will be joining our Board of Trustees,” said David Coleman, CEO of the College Board. “Dr. Ardalan's years of experience as a college president and a dedicated educator will bring invaluable insight and perspective to College Board's leadership. Dr. Ardalan will be a great addition to the Board and we look forward to working together.”
Elected by College Board member delegates, the Board of Trustees is the governing body of the College Board. Trustee responsibilities include:
- Approving the organization's mission, strategic goals, and objectives
- Establishing policies related to membership, programs, and services
- Approving the annual budget and major program fees
- Fulfilling the organization’s audit committee responsibilities
- Reviewing material initiatives
- Advising the CEO, who is responsible for the management of the organization
"The newly elected members are leaders within the academic, counseling, and admissions and enrollment communities, and bring invaluable experience and expertise, especially during a time that continues to challenge and change our work and institutions," said Ronné P. Turner, newly elected Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Prior to being selected to the board, Ardalan has been involved in numerous College Board activities, including serving as a member of the Advisory Panel on Community Colleges from 2014-2019, and on Trustee committees on Membership (since 2019) and Investment (since 2020).
Ardalan has invested more than 30 years in executive and pivotal roles at prominent community colleges, distinguished universities and global corporations in North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. He joined the Lone Star College System’s executive team in January 2008. He served as vice chancellor, chief information officer and LSC-University Park’s chief executive officer (CEO) prior to becoming LSC-University Park’s founding president in September 2012.
Ardalan holds a doctoral degree in Community College Leadership from Roueche Graduate Center of National American University at Austin, Texas. His other academic credentials include a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University, a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, and multiple diplomas and certificates from University of Lausanne (Switzerland) and Harvard University.