Office Hours with John Gardner
We are searching for big ideas that inspire hope and action in higher education around institutional transformation and innovation to advance student success and more equitable student outcomes. Joining John Gardner are higher education leaders and other relevant persons of interest who will discuss innovation and strategies that improve higher education.The Gardner Institute, a 24-year-old non-profit, has been at the forefront of innovation in higher education; our mission very clearly connects us to the broader societal efforts to increase social justice.The Gardner Institute connects with thousands of professionals in the higher education ecosystem; through a wide array of activities such as Transformative Conversations, the Teaching and Learning Academy, and the Socially Just Design Series, and through our work as an Intermediary for Scale supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a leader in the student success movement in higher education, we strive to provide support for institutions interested in social justice and institutional transformation.
Office Hours with John Gardner
Akilah Martin- Access to Learning for Everyone
Akilah A. Martin serves as an Assistant Vice President for the Gardner Institute. In this role, Dr. Martin serves as one of the leads for the Institutional Transformation Assessment project.
Akilah A. Martin, Ed.D., began her higher education career pathway as a TRiO advisor with Lone Star College, and she continued in higher education, holding positions in admissions, student activities, and advising. Akilah served as the Alvin Community College’s director of dual enrollment and then the director of college and career pathways, championing pathways reform for the institution. In 2020, Akilah became the first Black dean of students in Alvin Community College’s 70-year history. Dr. Martin last served on a campus as dean of student transition and academic engagement at Texas Southern University, and most recently served as a strategy director with Complete College America. Akilah holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Southwest Texas State University, a master’s degree in Counselor Education from Texas Southern University, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership – Higher Education from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.
As an Assistant Vice President for the Gardner Institute, Dr. Martin serves as one of the leads for the Intermediaries for Scale project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
As a first-generation college student who struggled to find her academic stride, during her junior year in undergraduate school at (Southwest) Texas State University, she finally realized that she could be successful in college. During that year, she joined the first African-American Sorority founded in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., and she learned the value of time management, which led her to academic success for the first time ever! Akilah went on to earn a Master’s degree from Texas Southern University in Education and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston – Clear Lake.
As an only child to parents who did not pursue higher education, Akilah’s educational journey developed within her a passion for students who have been able to succeed beyond their environment and circumstances. Her passion is evident in how she serves students, ensures their sense of belonging, and roots for their success in and outside of the classroom! Akilah has managed to positively impact students for over 20 years through her Student Services work as a student activities coordinator, academic advisor, director of programs, adjunct faculty, and Dean of Students. Akilah’s passion and experience with K-12, community colleges and universities has now led her to the Gardner Institute, where she brings her knowledge, strengths, and skillset to help cultivate relationships and influence policies that will significantly impact the educational experience of students across the states.
Akilah is mom to her 17-year-old high school senior! She enjoys creating memories (outside as much as possible despite the Houston heat) with family and friends. Traveling has become more of an interest, and she loves Christmas movies.
