UMO Honors Kornegay with Leadership Award
November 18, 2024
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
DURHAM, NC — Dr. Leslye Kornegay of Durham, NC was awarded the prestigious W. Burkette Raper Leadership Award during the University of Mount Olive’s Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, a highlight of the 2024 Homecoming Weekend celebrations.
Kornegay, an accomplished executive leader, educator, and author, currently serves as the Executive Director of Facilities Management University Environmental Services at Duke University. After working at the University of Vermont, she assumed her role at Duke, seeking to broaden her impact in facilities management and services. In her current position, she manages a $28 million budget and leads a team of 300 employees, overseeing services for the university and waste management for Duke’s medical facilities.
Her leadership is not just about managing facilities, but also about empowering the university’s service employees, many of whom face financial challenges. Dr. Kornegay is passionate about improving the lives of these workers and ensuring that their contributions are recognized and valued.
A lifelong learner, Kornegay began her educational journey at Mount Olive College, graduating in 1999 with a BS in business and organizational development. She continued her studies, earning a master of science in administration (MSA) from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and a doctor of education (EdD) from the University of Vermont. Her doctoral research focuses on Black women in leadership and entrepreneurship. She has authored a just-released book, Leading to Change the World.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kornegay has been a member of the faculty at Champlain College in Burlington, VT, for the past 14 years, teaching in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. She is also the founder of The Kornegay Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to philanthropy and community service.
The W. Burkette Raper Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to their fields and communities. Kornegay’s impact on facilities management, her dedication to empowering others, and her commitment to lifelong learning make her deserving of this distinguished award.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. It was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
