Leni Patterson

Leni Neal Patterson ’83 — One of Presbyterian College’s most experienced leaders — Leni Patterson joined the president’s cabinet in 2021 and serves as executive director of strategic initiatives.

Patterson facilitates PC’s strategic planning processes and serves as project manager for specific initiatives critical to meeting the college’s strategic plans.

In addition to assisting and advising the president, she also engages with colleagues across the campus and external constituents to ensure institutional alignment with strategic plans.

Patterson joined the staff at her alma mater in 2000 and has served in a variety of leadership roles, including dean of enrollment and dean of community life. Since 2014, she has served as executive director of alumni relations and most recently has served as interim vice president of enrollment.

In her work in alumni relations, Patterson established eight alumni chapters and re-established the African-American Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Council. She engaged more than 300 alumni in PC’s Compass Program to conduct informational interviews with college sophomores related to their career interests.

She has also been a dedicated community leader. Patterson is the former chair of the Laurens County School District 55 Board of Trustees, former president of the S.C. School Boards Association, and a director on the National School Boards Association. She is a member and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton.

She has three sons and daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.