𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲: 𝗔 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗕𝗖𝗨𝘀, 𝗣𝗪𝗜𝘀 & 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀
Higher education is evolving, and so are the conversations around student experience, return on investment, campus culture, accountability, and public perception. This roundtable brings together higher education voices for an honest, balanced conversation about HBCUs, PWIs, and what student success really looks like. This isn’t about deciding which institutions are “better,” but about informed college choice, the experiences shaping today’s students, and how institutions can better serve the next generation of learners.
𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦
Meet the higher education voices bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the conversation.
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Widely known as @TheHigherEdCreative, Blair Lee is an award-winning higher education creative strategist, administrator, and professor working at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and innovation to rethink how institutions communicate, build reputation, and grow. As a creative coach, he helps higher education leaders and teams challenge conventional thinking, tell stronger stories, and turn bold ideas into action. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication at Colorado State University.
■ Dr. Melody Shelton Williams is an Assistant Professor of English in the Department of Literature, Languages, and Film at Hampton University. She earned her Ph.D. in English from Old Dominion University and her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Union University.
■ Javon D. Brame, M.A., is a nationally recognized higher education and nonprofit leader with expertise in strategic planning, organizational transformation, and community impact. Through his work in higher education, philanthropy, and civic leadership, he is committed to helping institutions and communities create lasting opportunities for future generations
■ Jada Holliday is an accomplished educational leader who is often inspired by the innovation of students. She is committed to driving excellence, inspiring creativity, and empowering students to achieve and push beyond lasting success. With a passion for intentional leadership and meaningful impact, Jada is committed to executing vision through experience, with the purpose of bridging opportunity and access, and enacting positive change.
■ Dr. Jasmine M. Drake is an Associate Professor in the BJ-ML School of Public Affairs and Laboratory Coordinator of the Forensic Science Learning Laboratory at Texas Southern University. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Southern University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Louisiana State University, with research focused on drug policy disparities, emerging drugs, and forensic science.
■ Dr. Darryl D. Gordon is a UCF faculty member and founder of Defined Driven Growth, LLC, specializing in organizational culture and leadership. Dr. Gordon is an award-winning community leader, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and has earned degrees from Florida A&M University (B.S.), Georgia Southern University (M.Ed.), and the University of Central Florida (Ph.D.).
■ Edward J. Brown, Jr., is an experienced administrator in the field of higher education and current doctoral student. His personal motto is “If I can help somebody, then my living shall not be in vain.
Connect with Blair and stay updated on his latest research, writing, and professional happenings by following him online at @TheHigherEdCreative.
