VP Finalist Forum: Dr. Nakia Edwards

Victoria College invites the community to meet the Vice President of Student Services finalists and share feedback. Each forum will be from 1-2 p.m. in the Event Hall in VC's Student Success Center.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

Dr. Nakia W. Edwards is an accomplished higher education administrator, educator, and student success advocate with extensive experience in educational leadership, workforce development, student services, and community engagement. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Adult Education & Literacy at Houston City College (HCC), where he provides strategic leadership for programs designed to expand educational access, strengthen student achievement, and create pathways to post-secondary education and meaningful employment.

Throughout his career, Dr. Edwards has demonstrated a commitment to advancing educational equity, strengthening institutional effectiveness, and developing partnerships that respond to the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities. His leadership encompasses strategic planning, program development, enrollment initiatives, fiscal oversight, grant administration, and the implementation of innovative approaches to student success.

At Houston City College, Dr. Edwards oversees educational and workforce initiatives that serve diverse student populations, including adult learners, individuals pursuing high school equivalency credentials, English language learners, and students transitioning into college and career training programs. He has been instrumental in expanding community and industry partnerships, strengthening workforce pathways, and connecting students with opportunities for educational and economic advancement.

Dr. Edwards earned his Doctor of Community College Leadership from Ferris State University, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas Southern University. His doctoral research examined resource inequities affecting African American and Hispanic male students in adult education, reflecting his commitment to removing barriers and improving student outcomes.

A collaborative and student-centered leader, Dr. Edwards believes that higher education serves as a catalyst for personal transformation, economic mobility, and community prosperity. His leadership philosophy emphasizes access, accountability, innovation, and the importance of creating an institutional culture where every student can succeed.