Keynote and Featured Speakers
See Our 2025 Keynote and Featured Speakers
Check out who will be speaking at our 2025 Student Success Summit.
We will be adding more speakers as the Summit dates draw near.
Timothy Renick, Ph.D.
Student Success Keynote Speaker
In 2020, Timothy Renick, Ph.D., became founding executive director of Georgia State University’s new National Institute for Student Success. Prior to this transition, Renick served for 13 years as senior vice president for student success, leading a series of innovations that established Georgia State as an internationally recognized leader in student success and enrollment strategies. Under Renick’s leadership, Georgia State saw a 70% improvement in graduation rates and the elimination of achievement gaps based on students’ race, ethnicity, and income levels.
Courtney B. Francis
Panelist, Bridging the Gap: Aligning Education with Industry Needs
Courtney B. Francis, Ph.D., is the strategy officer for state policy for Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis, committed to making learning opportunities beyond high school available to all. Working from Lumina’s D.C. office, she supports states’ efforts to increase education attainment and eliminate racial disparities by implementing Lumina’s state policy agenda.
Irvin T. Clark, Ed.D.
Panelist, Bridging the Gap: Aligning Education with Industry Needs
Workforce development stands at the forefront of Southern Crescent Technical College’s mission. Since assuming the presidency nearly three years ago, Irvin Clark, Ph.D., has dedicated himself to advancing this mission through strategic initiatives and impactful partnerships. By collaborating with community leaders and industry stakeholders, Clark has positioned the College to secure vital support through public-private partnerships and philanthropic contributions.
Candice Buckley
Moderator, Opening Student Panel
Candice Buckley is a servant-leader who has dedicated over 17 years to increasing student enrollment and student success. Buckley is a graduate of the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, where she began her career in the Office of Admissions as an admissions recruiter. She continued to grow within the field of student affairs and later went to pursue a Graduate degree in higher education administration at Florida International University in Miami.
Malaak Gordon
Panelist, Opening Student Panel
Malaak Gordon is a senior at Union Grove High School and the Academy for Advanced Studies. Gordon is president of the AAS Student Board of Directors and president of Future Business Leaders of America, while also being an active member of the Future Farmers of America and an AAS Ambassador.
