Community college chancellor Julie White honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award
The University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Human Development honored Julie A. White ’13W (PhD) as the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. This honor celebrates White’s exceptional leadership in higher education, her unwavering dedication to student access and success, and her impact on community colleges and the students they serve.
White earned her PhD in higher education administration from the Warner School in 2013 and has since established herself as a visionary leader in the field. Currently serving as chancellor and CEO of Pierce College District in Washington State, she oversees a dynamic educational system that includes multiple campuses, extended learning sites, and a robust e-learning program. Previously, she served as president of Pierce College Fort Steilacoom from 2019 to 2022, where her transformational leadership contributed to the institution’s growth and innovation. Under her leadership, Pierce College has earned national recognition for excellence, including accolades from the Aspen Institute as one of the nation’s leading community colleges.
Dean Melissa-Sturge Apple commends White for her extraordinary accomplishments, stating, “Julie is widely admired as a collaborative leader who inspires colleagues and students alike through her integrity, vision, and unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives. Her journey from a first-generation college student to a community college chancellor and CEO exemplifies the transformative power of education and serves as an inspiration to future leaders. Her career reflects the Warner School’s mission to advance education and strengthen communities, and we are proud to celebrate her extraordinary accomplishments with this honor.”
Before her tenure at Pierce College, White held senior leadership positions at Onondaga Community College, where she earned recognition for her expertise in student engagement, retention, and institutional effectiveness. Her career also includes leadership roles at Cayuga Community College and other institutional settings, where she has made significant contributions to teaching, student services, academic administration, research, and more.
Beyond her administrative roles, White has been a dedicated educator and mentor, teaching courses in executive leadership and serving on dissertation committees to support emerging leaders in higher education. She has also contributed to the broader higher education community through her service as President of the New York Association of Community College Chief Student Affairs Officers and as a board member of the American College Health Foundation.
White’s leadership has been recognized nationally, including her receipt of the Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership from Campus Compact in 2026. This honor highlights her deep and sustained commitment to civic and community engagement and her ability to build systems that position education as a pathway to opportunity and success.
Reflecting on her doctoral experience at the Warner School, White shares, "Warner provided me with a community of scholars and practitioners who supported and inspired me through their vision and commitment to justice, strengthening my own determination and capacity to lead meaningful institutional change.” Her work today continues to embody those ideals through her focus on inclusive leadership, community building, and transformative educational practice.
White received the Distinguished Alumni Award on October 3 at the National Council reception during Meliora Weekend. View photos from the reception.
The Warner School’s Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 2023, honors the exceptional achievements of its graduates. It celebrates those who embody the Warner School’s mission of making the world ‘Ever Better’ and serves as a beacon of inspiration for both current and future students and alumni. To learn more about the Distinguished Alumni Award and nominate a fellow graduate changemaker, visit the award website.