KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lewis-Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton has been named chair-elect of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Council of Presidents (COP). The NAIA made the announcement after a unanimous vote on Monday at the NAIA Fall Meetings.
Pemberton will serve as chair-elect for two years and begin as chair in the summer of 2027 through 2029. She has been a member of COP since 2023, and also serves as chair of the Cascade Collegiate Conference COP.
“Dr. Pemberton is an innovative and thoughtful leader whose insight and guidance will align perfectly with the NAIA's commitment to education-based athletics,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “Her extensive experience in higher education and dedication to the development of our student-athletes position her as a pivotal leader on our board.”
The COP is composed of 23 institutional presidents who represent the 20 NAIA conferences, plus three at-large members. As part of the NAIA’s shared governance model, the COP is designated as a governing body and has authority over membership, all fiscal matters, and conference operations.
Pemberton has served as president at LC State since July 1, 2018, becoming the third female president in the history of Idaho’s four-year public institutions. Along with having 13 intercollegiate and nationally competitive NAIA programs, LC State hosts the Avista NAIA World Series, considered by many to be the premier championship of the NAIA.
Originally from Medford, Ore., Pemberton earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Willamette University, and a master’s in interdisciplinary studies: physical education, psychology, and nutrition at Southern Oregon College (now university). She received her Ed.D. in education leadership at Portland State University.
Pemberton began her higher education career at the University of Nevada in Reno and also taught at Truckee Meadows Community College. She served as assistant athletic director, head women’s and men’s swim coach, faculty and later senior women’s administrator for athletics at Linfield College.
She served as associate and interim dean of the graduate school at Idaho State University before becoming provost and vice president for academic affairs at Dickinson State University, and then was vice president for academic affairs at Colorado Mesa University for two years before accepting the LC State position.
Pemberton is a two-time Fulbright awardee. She spent a year in the Republic of Malta on a Fulbright Scholar award, and a month in the Kingdom of Jordan on a Fulbright Specialist award serving as an educational leadership consultant to Jordan University of Science and Technology.
Pemberton has conducted research, published and presented locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Her record of scholarly achievement includes two books, a chapter in an international adult learning compendium, over 30 refereed and/or limited review publications/proceedings, numerous invited publications, over 40 regional/national/international presentations, and well over 100 local/university and community presentations. Her book, “More Than a Game: One Woman’s Fight for Gender Equity in Sport,” was recognized with the Phi Kappa Phi Bookshelf Award in October 2002. Likewise, her book: “Getting There: Women’s Journeys to and through Educational Attainment,” received the Phi Kappa Phi Bookshelf Award, summer 2013.