Today, the HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) Founder, President, and CEO Demetrius Johnson, Jr., has announced the next selection of the honorees of the ninth class of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026. Joining retiring American Baptist College President Dr. Forest E. Harris, Sr., and Southern University System President Dennis J. Shield, and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon is Trenholm State Community College President Dr. Kemba Chambers. Her selection to the prestigious honor underscores her admired leadership and sincere dedication to the field of higher education.

“Foremost, I have admired Dr. Chambers’ leadership for quite some time. It is an honor to recognize her contributions to higher education in this way. Dr. Chambers is amongst the respected leaders in this community, serving as the first female president of Trenholm and holding various executive roles prior to this. Her transformative leadership has elevated Trenholm State to a new level, including its membership in the TMCF and the advancement of accessible educational opportunities. We express our gratitude to Dr. Chambers for her continued leadership and extend our heartfelt wishes for continued transformation at Trenholm State. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Chambers on this esteemed honor.”

– Demetrius Johnson, Jr., founder, President & CEO, HCF

The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders Award & Class is a national recognition created by the HBCU Campaign Fund that identifies ten chancellors and presidents, and as of 2024, sports-affiliated individuals serving in the role at an HBCU, MSI, or affiliated with who exemplify a prominent and influential role in leadership and model the characteristics of following responsibilities in the progression of an institution or entity forward.

With more than 25 years of higher education experience, Dr. Chambers previously served as interim president of Trenholm State Community College before being named to the permanent role as the first female to serve in the capacity at the college. Prior to that, she served as interim associate vice chancellor of teaching and learning and chief instructional officer at the Alabama Community College System, and as executive vice president of instructional services at Trenholm.

Dr. Chambers has also served as interim president at Coastal Alabama Community College and at J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College. She also held executive roles at Calhoun Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

Dr. Chambers earned a associate of arts degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University, a master’s from Troy University, an educational specialist in educational leadership from Troy University and her doctorate in higher education administration from Auburn University.

The honorees of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026 and Ninth Class will be fully announced in early 2026.

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About the HBCU Campaign Fund
The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) was founded in 2012 and is one of the nation’s minority educational organizations. HCF remains a strong advocate for students and higher education. The mission of HCF is to support the significance and raise funds for scholarships, programs, and for private and public HBCUs and MSIs. For more information, visit www.hbcucampaignfund.org.