Lander Vice President Among ‘Women of Influence’ by GSA Business Report

Dr. Amanda Darden, Vice President for Student Experience and Quality Assurance at Lander University, has been named among the Women of Influence by GSA Business Report.

Criteria for the award, which recognizes high-achieving women for their career accomplishments, include professional experience, community involvement and a commitment to mentoring.

Darden, who also serves as Lander’s interim dean of students, joined Lander’s leadership team in 2022 and has worked to promote student success and retention and create a holistic campus experience for students from South Carolina and beyond. During her tenure, to complement Lander’s quality academic programs, the University has become known for its dynamic co-curricular opportunities and engaging student experiences

Among her staff, Darden values personal connections with team members and emphasizes flexibility in leadership approaches.

“I strive to make personal connections related to an individual’s strengths and talents. Leadership is a learning process,” said Darden, who actively mentors young women in higher education, encouraging them to envision their professional futures and pursue ambitious goals.

Darden earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and a master’s degree in educational curriculum and instruction, both from Radford University. She completed her doctoral degree in higher education with an emphasis on leadership from Coastal Carolina University, where she was named the first Ph.D. Candidate of the Year as part of the program’s inaugural cohort.