kwilliams926
Jan 10, 20222 min
The Board of Trustees of Martin University today announced a 10-year contract extension for President Sean L. Huddleston, who has held the position since March 25, 2019. He is the 5th President of the University, which began in 1977.
“The Board of Trustees is very pleased with the leadership demonstrated by Dr. Huddleston. The Board’s unanimous support for this extension of his contract is a vote of confidence in him as the right person to lead Martin University now and for the foreseeable future.” said Joseph M. Perkins, Jr. Board of Trustees Chair. “Since his arrival, Dr. Huddleston has delivered on, and exceeded, the Board’s expectations against a challenging set of metrics. He has a solid focus on the educational outcomes of Martin’s students, while demonstrating fiscal responsibility, strategic thinking, academic acumen, and improvements to the day-to-day operations of the university. There is a renewed level of energy on campus, and a renewed focus on Martin University as the focal point for important community initiatives.”
“My congratulations to Sean Huddleston on this 10-year contract extension at Martin University, the only Predominantly Black Institution in our city and state,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Martin University is a vital institution for Indianapolis for numerous reasons, including its contribution to a more diverse workforce through educating traditional and non-traditional students. This contract extension helps assure that Martin will not only survive, but continue to thrive under Dr. Huddleston’s leadership."
According to David Wantz, President and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), “Transformative presidents come along at the right moment in a college’s life. Dr. Huddleston is transforming the school and also influencing the way his colleagues across the state are thinking about diversity, equity and inclusion through education. They are relying on him to help them make the path wider to a better life. As the president of the state’s only Predominantly Black Institution, Dr. Huddleston is leading us all by example.”
As an educator, Huddleston has concentrated on leading institutional efforts that create conditions of success for nontraditional students and those who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. Prior to joining Martin, he served as the inaugural Vice President and Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer for the University of Indianapolis. He held similar roles at Framingham State University and Grand Valley State University and has taught various courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Huddleston, a returning adult student himself, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) from Siena Heights University. He later earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Adult and Higher Education and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Leadership degree from Grand Valley University. Huddleston completed his doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University. He has also received professional certifications from Cornell University and Dartmouth College.
Martin University is Indiana’s only Predominantly Black Institution of higher education. It is steeped in a history of service and open to a diverse population of students.
Martin University’s mission is to provide excellence in educating and developing traditional and non-traditional students in an inclusive, supportive, and healthy collegiate environment.