Debbie Acker

Bio

Dr. Deborah Acker currently serves as Director of the Shelton Leadership Center, where she leads strategic initiatives that sustain and grow the department through high-impact programming, board leadership, fund development, and oversight of grants and contracts. She is also a Teaching Instructor in University College and an Affiliate Graduate Faculty member in Comparative Biomedical Sciences.

With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Acker’s work spans from youth to professionals, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of generational leaders. Her leadership development expertise focuses on values-based decision-making, effective teamwork, meaningful group engagement, and cultivating a global mindset. She has successfully partnered with faculty, staff, and administrators across disciplines to create sustainable programs, research initiatives, and academic minors that support student success and leadership across fields.

A standout example of her innovation is the launch of the Global Leadership and Team Decision Making undergraduate minor in Spring 2020. This immersive program includes a semester abroad in multiple countries—Czech Republic, England, Austria, France, and Germany—where students learn from both NC State and international faculty.

Dr. Acker’s contributions to leadership education and global engagement have been recognized with the 2025 TBJ Business Woman of the Year award and the 2024 Outstanding Staff Global Engagement Award.

She holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from NC State University, a master’s degree in School Counseling from Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Longwood University.