?? The Pursuit of Excellence: Dr. Melva Wallace's Vision for Huston-Tillotson University
Joe Sallustio, EdD
The EdUp Experience Podcast Co-Founder & Host (400K plays) | Best-Selling Author of Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education - featured in FORBES | Higher Ed Expert | Keynote Speaker|
The EdUp WrapUp Newsletter by The EdUp Experience
We aspire to prepare graduates who are pioneers. They're leading the way. They're not just following someone and saying, 'hey, we think this is smart.' We want them to literally carve paths and to create things that haven't been done. - Dr. Melva Wallace
?? Education is Happyness
Much like Chris Gardner in "The Pursuit of Happyness," educational institutions must sometimes navigate challenging landscapes with determination, vision, and unwavering belief in future possibilities. This philosophy shines through in an episode of The EdUp Experience podcast where Laura Ipsen (CEO of Ellucian ) and I welcomed Melva K. Wallace, Ph.D. , President of Huston-Tillotson University - Austin, Texas to the mic!
Located in downtown Austin, Texas, Huston-Tillotson is the oldest institution of higher learning in the city, founded in 1875, and recently ranked as the top private liberal arts college in Texas by U.S. News & World Report. As Dr. Wallace shared, this achievement reflects the journey from "unranked to ranked number one," demonstrating that persistence and dedication lead to recognition.
With the determination of someone who sees opportunity where others might see obstacles, Dr. Wallace detailed how HT cultivates "forerunners of innovation" in "the Silicon Valley of the South." She emphasized the university's unique position as an #HBCU in a tech hub and announced HT's upcoming HBCU AI Conference (April 1-3, 2025) as part of their commitment to ensuring diverse voices shape AI development.
Just as Chris Gardner persevered to create a better future for himself and his son, Dr. Wallace is working to create pathways for students who will often be "the first to do fill in the blank" in their future careers and communities.
?? KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Persistence Through Transformation
Like Gardner's journey from homelessness to success, Huston-Tillotson has transformed from "unranked to ranked number one" as a private liberal arts college in Texas. Dr. Wallace emphasized that while rankings aren't their guide, this recognition validates their commitment to educational excellence.
2. Seizing Opportunity in Challenging Environments
Located in downtown Austin, HT embraces its urban setting and proximity to major tech companies. Dr. Wallace noted, "We cannot sit back on the sidelines and say, 'Well, we'll see if AI is really going to be here.' We have to be the leaders, and we have to fail at it, and we have to reinvent it."
3. Building for Future Generations
Just as Gardner's struggles were motivated by creating opportunities for his son, Dr. Wallace emphasized the importance of Black and Brown representation in AI development: "If our voice isn't within the technology, we will be left out of the technology." This work ensures future generations have equitable access to technology's benefits.
4. The Power of Mentorship and Community
Gardner relied on key relationships during his journey, and Dr. Wallace highlighted HT's powerful board connections with tech industry leaders from Indeed.com, IBM, and other companies. These relationships provide invaluable insights and opportunities for students.
5. Maintaining Hope and Vision
Throughout his challenges, Gardner never lost sight of his goals. Similarly, Dr. Wallace maintains that HBCUs must approach AI with a "how might we" framework rather than resistance, staying focused on the possibilities rather than the obstacles.
?? NOTABLE QUOTES by Dr. Wallace
"We don't want to be the people who were at the last meeting of the final board meeting for Blockbuster Video saying we're doing great. We have to embrace the future and figure out how might we live in this world, how might we educate students."
"If black and brown people are not in the room providing data and being at the forefront of this AI data for a transformational living, then what will happen is that medicines, care, procedures, all of this will be based on the exclusion of black and brown people and women and people from different regions."
"Walking on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University, it looks really like America and the world. We have students from Texas, we have students from Michigan and New York and Nepal and all these different places."
"The biggest thing to have to be a successful leader is soft skills... humans are still in charge of the earth. And if that is going to be the case, if we're still in charge of the earth, and if we know that the point of artificial intelligence, that the first part of AI is artificial, then the real is the human touch."
?? COMING SOON: HBCU AICon - Building Tomorrow's Opportunities
Dr. Wallace announced the first HBCU AI Conference, to be held at Huston-Tillotson University from April 1-3, 2025. Like Chris Gardner recognizing an opportunity in the stockbroker training program, Dr. Wallace sees this conference as a crucial entry point for HBCUs into the AI conversation.
This groundbreaking event welcomes participants at all levels of AI familiarity - from tech experts to administrative staff looking to incorporate AI into daily workflows, to faculty concerned about academic integrity in the age of AI.
The conference reflects Gardner's philosophy that opportunity often requires preparation meeting timing—HBCUs must engage with AI now to ensure diverse perspectives shape its development and application.
REGISTER HERE
?? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
?? TAKE ACTION TO ENHANCE YOUR LEARNING
?? Listen to the full episode featuring Dr. Melva Wallace here.
?? Subscribe to The EdUp Experience Podcast to hear from more innovative higher education leaders
?? Follow The EdUp Experience for updates and highlights from past episodes
?? Connect with Joe Sallustio, EdD and Elvin Freytes
?? Connect with Laura Ipsen
Over 1000 episodes and half a million plays. This is #EdUp.
"Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something. You got a dream, you gotta protect it." – The Pursuit of Happyness
Ladies and Gentlemen, YOU've just EdUpped.