Mike Gavin

Dr. Michael H. Gavin is the President and CEO of the Alliance for Higher Education. Prior to assuming this role, Gavin was President of Delta College, which experienced a 26% increase in enrollment and 10% increase in graduation rates under his leadership. As a result of the changes made at Delta, the institution was honored with the Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Institutional Transformation, Leader College Status by Achieving the Dream, and many awards focused on excellence and equity. He also founded Education for All, a movement focused on ensuring all students, faculty, and staff found sites of agency in states with legislation that was potentially repressive to sector autonomy, academic freedom, and civil rights of marginalized students, faculty, and staff. 

Known nationally for his administrative leadership that focuses on academic excellence and equity, Gavin is sought after for speaking roles and for training higher education leaders in maintaining mission in politically disruptive times. 

Gavin earned his doctorate in American Studies at the University of Maryland, a master’s in literature from American University, and bachelor’s in English from Dickinson College. He is the author of two books; the most recent, The New White Nationalism in Politics and Higher Education, was released in 2020.  

Whether serving on national or local boards, working on a committee, or through his scholarship, Gavin is committed to the notion that higher education is a pathway to individual freedom and national democracy.