Cedar Crest College proudly announces the recognition of President Elizabeth Meade as one of four Take the Lead Lehigh Valley honorees by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP), an annual program that acknowledges exceptional women leaders in the region, provides a unique leadership opportunity for Girl Scouts, and raises critical funds for Girl Scouting in Eastern Pennsylvania.
The 2026 Take the Lead Lehigh Valley honorees are leaders in their professional industries who lift others in the community, exemplifying the Girl Scouts’ mission of providing girls with the courage, confidence, and character necessary to make the world a better place.
A transformational leader and strategic planner, President Meade has guided Cedar Crest College through initiatives that advance innovation and opportunity. She led the development and implementation of the College’s current strategic plan, Open the Door to What’s Next, establishing the Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology and creating the Joni Berner ‘75 Expert Witness Training Center. Over the course of her time as President, she has overseen the expansion of athletics with the building of the FalconPlex athletic complex, launched a global travel program for the entire sophomore class at no cost to the students, opened the Student Employment Center, added 13 graduate/certificate programs, launched a School of Nursing public healthcare clinic, and introduced four practitioner doctoral programs including the Lehigh Valley’s only nurse anesthesia program. Her leadership expands access to and empowers women to excel in academics and beyond, fostering inclusivity and confident leadership.
Being recognized as a Take the Lead Lehigh Valley honoree holds special meaning for President Meade, as her leadership journey and lifelong commitment to championing women extend far beyond her years at Cedar Crest College to her formative years with the Girl Scouts.
President Meade’s connection to Girl Scouts began in her own childhood as a Brownie and came full circle through her children’s involvement. She supported her oldest child’s journey as a Daisy and Brownie and later served as a troop leader for her youngest daughter’s Daisy and Brownie troops.
President Meade fondly remembers her and her children’s involvement with the Girl Scouts through enriching experiences such as camping, selling cookies, marching in parades, and completing science experiments and community service, learning valuable lessons in the Girl Scout values and gaining lifelong skills.
“All of my experience with Girl Scouts, from my own to my daughters’, gave me a keen awareness of what happens when you empower women and girls to lead. It does not take much to spark ambition and determination—just a little bit of confidence instilled by an organization and group of people believing in you,” said President Meade.
As part of the Take the Lead program, President Meade will be paired as a mentor with a high school-aged Girl Scout who will shadow President Meade for a day, receiving guidance and invaluable career and leadership insights.
On Thursday, April 23, President Meade, along with the three other 2026 Take the Lead Lehigh Valley honorees, will be recognized during a ceremony at Delta Marriott in Allentown. The Girl Scouts chosen to shadow this year’s honorees will also deliver a presentation reflecting on their experience.
About President Elizabeth Meade
Dr. Meade is the fourteenth President of Cedar Crest College, leading since 2017 and serving on the faculty since 1993. She led the development and implementation of Cedar Crest’s current strategic plan, Open the Door to What’s Next, featuring signature initiatives such as a Laptops for Learners program, a Degree in Three accelerated path to a bachelor’s degree, and a School of Nursing public healthcare clinic.
Dr. Meade is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and earned her Ph.D. from Boston College. She serves on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) where she is currently Vice-Chair, and the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown.
About Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the College continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women’s college and in the co-ed School of Adult and Graduate Education. Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best College Rankings as #16 in Social Mobility and is among the top 100 colleges and universities in the region.