Empowering Educators – Authentically

After more than two decades of teaching at UNC’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (EBS) and following 14 years of program and departmental leadership and six months as interim dean, Heather Pendleton-Helm officially stepped into the role of dean in January.

Alongside her educational expertise, Pendleton-Helm brings her long-held and deeply ingrained desire to build meaningful relationships across the college, to make people’s lives better and to empower others to do the same.

“From a young age, I was always naturally drawn to anything that involved helping people,” Pendleton-Helm said. “In one way or another, that thread has tied all the roles in my life together. That desire and that premise is inherent in everything I do.”

Born in Colorado but raised primarily in Pullman, Washington, Pendleton-Helm said she always felt a draw to return to the mountains and plains of her birthplace, even well into her adulthood.

After earning her doctorate from Ole Miss, Pendleton-Helm sought opportunities in Colorado and specifically UNC. Pendleton-Helm was drawn to the values of UNC and the students it serves.

“I said to one of my mentors, ‘that’s where I want to be.’”

After being offered the position, Pendleton-Helm reflected on the emotions and feelings the new role brought.

“I have the most vivid memory of pulling into the McKee parking lot for the first time,” Pendleton-Helm said. “I had so many nerves, excitement and an appropriate level of imposter syndrome, but it took no time for me to know this was the right fit.”

That was in 2004. Over 20 years later, Pendleton-Helm has gained experience as faculty and as a leader, continuing an ongoing commitment to building relationships and collaboration.

“I have always committed to showing up in all spaces as my authentic self,” Pendleton-Helm said. “I want to know people beyond their title or their role. I want people to know their voice matters. I want to know their perspectives and hear their opinions. I believe their worldviews matter in every context.”

Pendleton-Helm aims to bring that authenticity to her new role, hoping to build connections and community through collaborative leadership.

“The core values of UNC are embedded in the fabric of everything we do in EBS — students-first perspectives, transformational learning, career readiness and community engagement.” – Heather Pendleton-Helm

Relationships and community mean a lot to Pendleton-Helm — whether they’re found at home with her partner and their 10-year-old golden retriever, while raising funds for multiple sclerosis research by participating in charity bike rides or among the students, faculty and staff here at UNC.

“It cannot be understated how important relationships are; that’s something that’s deeply ingrained in me,” Pendleton-Helm said. “I think we can get so bogged down in problem-solving, managing and reacting — and while necessary, all are done better when trust is built, communication is attended to and relationships are prioritized.”

At a time when professions in the fields of education and behavioral sciences are facing challenges like teacher shortages, burnout and a rise in mental health concerns across the country, Pendleton-Helm is dedicated to ensuring EBS graduates emerge into the world prepared to be outstanding contributors to their chosen communities.

“The core values of UNC are embedded in the fabric of everything we do in EBS — students-first perspectives, transformational learning, career readiness and community engagement,” Pendleton-Helm said.

Looking to the future, Pendleton-Helm’s immediate priorities as dean are homing in on the needs of the college, including strengthening student recruitment and retention, identifying potential barriers students might be facing and fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations in EBS and in other colleges.

“In recent years, many industries — certainly teaching and behavioral health — have experienced significant challenges and change,” Pendleton-Helm said. “I hope to support efforts to creatively respond to these challenges while maintaining our exceptional programs — building connection and engagement as these tie fundamentally into faculty and staff retention and satisfaction, which, in turn, play a significant role in student retention.”

For the aspiring educators and future behavioral scientists of the world, Pendleton-Helm hopes to create a welcoming, stimulating, diverse environment.

“The importance of what we’re doing here can’t be understated. I hope to contribute to elevating the great work being done in the college by our faculty, students and staff. I want people to know they belong here and we need them,” Pendleton-Helm said. “We need people excited to be advocates and voices of change for our future. Everyone here wants to help each other succeed, and I’m so proud of that.”