[4][5] After completing his doctoral degree at Syracuse University, Lambert remained on campus and took on the role of associate dean of the Graduate School.
In 1996, Lambert left Elon to become provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, a position he held for three years.
During his tenure, the university experienced significant growth including nearly two-thirds increase in enrollment to around 6,700 students and a doubling of the faculty.
In 2006, Lambert led the drive to open the Elon University School of Law in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina.
[7] Lambert served on the national and North Carolina boards of Campus Compact and as a founding board member[8] and president's council chair of Project Pericles,[9] a national organization that encourages students to become civically engaged in their communities.