Kristin Brooks is a dedicated higher education leader with a strong commitment to student success, equitable access, and institutional collaboration. Previously serving as the Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement – College Completion at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, Kristin spearheaded statewide transfer initiatives and policy alignment and created a statewide college completion agenda. Under her leadership, the South Carolina Transfer Council was established, fostering partnerships among over 30 institutions to improve credit mobility and student support systems.
With a career spanning over a decade in higher education, Kristin has held pivotal roles in academic administration, student success, and faculty development. As Acting Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement, she led a multidisciplinary team focused on workforce development, transfer policy, research, and communications. Prior to this, Kristin served as Director of Student Success at a small private institution, implementing retention strategies, first-year experience programs, and faculty development initiatives, leading to measurable increases in student persistence.
A scholar-practitioner, Kristin earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, where her dissertation focused on breaking barriers to transfer between technical colleges and four-year institutions. A sought-after thought leader in transfer policy, Kristin has presented at national conferences, including SXSW EDU and the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS). Additionally, Kristin has contributed to publications on transfer excellence and student success strategies.
Committed to fostering inclusive educational pathways, Kristin continues to drive systemic change through cross-sector collaboration, policy advocacy, and student-centered innovation in higher education.