Heather Carpenter

Heather Carpenter, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nonprofit Administration & Research at Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS), where she has served since 2021. As Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (INAR), she leads initiatives in academic research, professional development, and nonprofit sector analysis.

• Education:
  • PhD in Leadership Studies with an emphasis on Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership (University of San Diego, 2011)
  • Master of Management in Nonprofit Administration (North Park University, Chicago, IL)
  • Bachelor of Science (San Diego State University)

Her research focuses on nonprofit and philanthropy education, workforce development, community engagement, and capacity-building strategies. She has contributed to curriculum design, accreditation standards, and the intersection of service-learning with academic programs.

Recent scholarly trends emphasize leadership in nonprofit management, crisis response (e.g., during the pandemic), and the structural evolution of the sector through empirical studies and textbooks. Her work bridges academic theory with practical applications for social change organizations.

Scientific Awards:

• Nonprofit Times Top 50 Power and Influence Nonprofit Leader (2022)

Dr. Carpenter has held editorial roles as co-editor-in-chief for the Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership and served on the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (2017-2023). She contributes to community service through the Downtown Shreveport Rotary Club, Volunteer Louisiana Commission, and Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program advisory committee.