LEC is led by Dr. Erin Lynch, CRA, a nationally acclaimed scholar, strategic planner, and equity-driven innovator serving as President of the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network, which supports over 900 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). With more than $66 million in funded awards and nearly $1 billion in proposals developed, Dr. Lynch is a powerhouse in research development, educational equity, and strategic planning. Her leadership has transformed institutions, including as Associate Provost and Dean at Winston-Salem State University, where she led a 270% increase in sponsored research.

Dr. Lynch is also the visionary behind WeHBSeeU TV, a digital media platform spotlighting HBCU research, streaming on RokuTV and AppleTV. She has served on numerous national committees, including co-chairing a National Academies of Sciences panel to advance defense research at HBCUs and the Carnegie Classification TRP establishing the Student Access and Earnings Visualization measures.

With dual doctorates and expertise spanning industrial-organizational psychology, curriculum design, and nonprofit leadership, Dr. Lynch bridges scholarship and action. A sought-after speaker and published author in outlets such as Cell and Peabody Journal of Education, she champions inclusive innovation, digital equity, and capacity building in STEM and higher education. Her impact continues to shape national research agendas and broaden participation in the sciences.