Dr. Austin Floyd is an innovative educator who sees limitless potential in the new horizon of education dawning for marginalized students. His multi-year investment in higher education and student affairs has centered on encouraging an asset-based mindset over a deficit approach. He envisions a world where knowledge seekers learn freely in unconventional ways, bringing their unique backgrounds, strengths and experiences to spaces that enhance opportunities for everyone. Dr. Floyd holds an Ed.D. in Higher Educational Leadership, spent many years in ASAR (the research arm of the SC Technical College System Office), and currently serves as an Education Consultant for Knowledge for College, a 501(c)(3) that exposes disadvantaged youth to the world of higher education. He is also part of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Columbia’s Class of 2023… which they say is the best class to ever come through the Chamber.