Carmen Twillie Ambar facts for kids

Carmen Twillie Ambar, born on July 3, 1968, is an American lawyer and a leader in education. In 2017, she became the fifteenth president of Oberlin College in Ohio. She is known for her work in making colleges better for students.

Early Life and Education

Carmen Twillie Ambar grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her father, Manuel Twillie, worked hard on a farm before becoming a school principal. Her mother, Gwendolyn Brown Twillie, earned a special degree in dance. She later led the Theatre and Dance Department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Ambar studied at several top universities. She earned a bachelor's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. She then received a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University. In 1994, she earned her law degree (J.D.) from Columbia Law School.

Career Highlights

Before becoming a college president, Ambar held important roles. She was the board chair for the Public Leadership Education Network. She also served as vice-chair of the New Jersey Commission on the Status of Women. From 2000 to 2002, she was an assistant dean at Princeton University. In 2006, she joined the New Jersey Economic Development Authority Board of Directors.

Leading Douglass College

In 2002, Carmen Ambar made history at Douglass College. She became the ninth woman to lead the college. She was also the youngest dean in its history. At that time, she shared her dream of becoming a college president.

President of Cedar Crest College

Her dream came true in 2008 when she became the thirteenth president of Cedar Crest College. During her time there, the college's financial support grew by 90%. The college also had extra money in its budget. More students enrolled, and more students stayed to finish their degrees.

Ambar also started new programs at Cedar Crest. She helped make sure all sophomores could study abroad. She also created "The 4-Year Guarantee." This program helped students plan their studies clearly to graduate on time.

President of Oberlin College

On May 30, 2017, Carmen Twillie Ambar was named the fifteenth president of Oberlin College. This was a very important moment. She became the first Black person and the second woman to hold this top position at Oberlin.

Personal Life

Carmen Twillie Ambar was married to Saladin Ambar from 1994 to 2019. He also studied at Georgetown University. In 2007, she gave birth to triplets. She enjoys playing the piano and watching professional baseball.