Dr. Meka Mears
Clermont,FL
Summary
Transformative higher education leader with over 17 years of progressive experience in academic affairs, workforce program development, and nonprofit administration. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams to enhance instructional quality, advance innovative curricula, and strengthen workforce pipelines aligned with labor market needs. Renowned for fostering collaborative cultures, championing diversity and inclusion, and driving institutional effectiveness through high-impact partnerships across industry, education, government, and community sectors. Proven track record in designing and scaling student success initiatives while implementing data-informed strategies that elevate teaching excellence, enrollment, and workforce outcomes.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Faculty, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Broward College
2024 - Current
- Facilitate language acquisition through differentiated instruction and immersive learning models.
- Support multilingual learners with targeted interventions that promote academic readiness and workforce success.
- Monitor and evaluate student progress using data-driven instructional practices.
Adjunct Faculty, English Literature & Composition
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
01.2023 - Current
- Deliver rigorous composition and literature instruction aligned with institutional learning outcomes.
- Integrate culturally responsive pedagogy, writing-across-the-curriculum practices, and active learning methodologies.
- Support academic persistence through individualized feedback and developmental coaching.
Adjunct Professor, First-Year English Composition
Barry University
01.2022 - Current
- Teach foundational writing, critical inquiry, and analytical reasoning aligned with general education competencies.
- Engage diverse student populations through inclusive pedagogy and evidence-based instructional strategies.
- Mentor students and support holistic student-success pathways.
Director of Social Enterprise
211 Broward
2022 - Current
- Lead strategic revenue and workforce-aligned initiatives supporting community uplift and economic mobility.
- Build and sustain high-impact partnerships with employers, workforce boards, and community agencies.
- Drive organizational growth through innovative program development, marketing strategies, and community engagement.
- Utilize data analytics to assess program performance and expand access to critical services, training, and resources.
- Strengthen organizational infrastructure, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Chief Administrative Officer
P&M Healthcare
2020 - 01.2022
- Directed organizational operations, strategic planning, and financial management across the enterprise.
- Strengthened compliance systems, quality assurance, and performance metrics.
- Elevated workforce development, training initiatives, and operational capacity.
Adjunct Faculty, Composition and Literature
Nova Southeastern University
01.2017 - 2021
- Taught composition and literature to diverse student groups, including international and ESL students.
- Employed innovative, multimodal instructional strategies to meet varied learning needs.
- Collaborated with faculty and administrators to promote academic support and student engagement.
Adjunct Faculty, Composition & Literature; Strategies for Success (SLS)
Broward College
01.2013 - 2018
- Developed socially relevant, equity-centered curricula addressing civic responsibility and social justice.
- Taught first-year experience coursework focused on academic success strategies.
- Served as faculty mentor supporting curriculum development, onboarding, and instructional design.
- Facilitated inclusive learning environments that supported diverse student pathways.
Services General Manager, Business Services (University-Wide)
Nova Southeastern University
2016 - 2020
- Led cross-functional operations, driving institutional improvements and optimizing the student experience.
- Managed multimillion-dollar budgets (<$5M), financial forecasting, and strategic resource allocation.
- Supervised a complex operation of 40–50 employees across multiple locations.
- Strengthened partnerships with corporate vendors, academic units, and community stakeholders.
- Utilized data analytics to inform operational decision-making, enrollment strategies, and service enhancements.
Assistant General Manager, Auxiliary Services
Broward College
01.2008 - 01.2016
- Co-managed a $10M budget and ensured institutional compliance and operational excellence.
- Led teams across multiple campuses; supervised purchasing, inventory management, and operational planning.
- Strengthened student-success initiatives through cross-campus engagement and community partnerships.
- Provided leadership in onboarding, training, and professional development for staff.
Education
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Nonprofit & Local/State Government
Nova Southeastern University
01.2021
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Organizational Leadership
Nova Southeastern University
01.2019
Master of Science (M.S.) - English Education
Nova Southeastern University
01.2012
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Public Communications
Florida Atlantic University
01.2009
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Public Relations & Organizational Communication
Broward Community College
01.2007
Skills
- Workforce Program Development & Labor Market Alignment
- Faculty Excellence, Professional Development & Evaluation
- Curriculum Innovation, Accreditation & Instructional Quality
- Strategic Planning, Change Management & Operational Leadership
- Strategic Partnerships: Industry, Employer & Community
- Organizational Development & Policy Implementation
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Shared Governance
- Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Relationship Management
- Budget Management, Resource Allocation & Revenue Generation
- Contract Negotiation
- Emerging Technologies, Alternative Credentials & Flexible Learning Models
- Donor Acquisition, Management & Relations
- Public Speaking
- Cultural Competence
- Professional Development & Training
- Team Building & Management
- Conflict Resolution
Certification
- Advanced Grant Writing & Fundraising
- Higher Education Curriculum Development & Instructional Design
- Leadership & Executive Management Training
- Research Ethics & Compliance (CITI)
- Fundraising Academy, Sanford Institute of Philanthropy
- NACS Leadership Institute – Inaugural Class
- Management Development Supervisory Training
- Online Teaching & Course Design Certifications
Timeline
Adjunct Faculty, English Literature & Composition
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
01.2023 - Current
Adjunct Professor, First-Year English Composition
Barry University
01.2022 - Current
Adjunct Faculty, Composition and Literature
Nova Southeastern University
01.2017 - 2021
Adjunct Faculty, Composition & Literature; Strategies for Success (SLS)
Broward College
01.2013 - 2018
Assistant General Manager, Auxiliary Services
Broward College
01.2008 - 01.2016
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Organizational Leadership
Nova Southeastern University
Master of Science (M.S.) - English Education
Nova Southeastern University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Public Communications
Florida Atlantic University
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Public Relations & Organizational Communication
Broward Community College
Adjunct Faculty, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Broward College
2024 - Current
Director of Social Enterprise
211 Broward
2022 - Current
Chief Administrative Officer
P&M Healthcare
2020 - 01.2022
Services General Manager, Business Services (University-Wide)
Nova Southeastern University
2016 - 2020
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Nonprofit & Local/State Government
Nova Southeastern University
Core Leadership Competencies
- Workforce Program Development & Labor Market Alignment
- Faculty Excellence, Professional Development & Evaluation
- Curriculum Innovation, Accreditation & Instructional Quality
- Strategic Planning, Change Management & Operational Leadership
- Industry, Employer & Community Partnerships
- Data Analytics, Program Assessment & Evidence-Based Decision-Making
- Organizational Development & Policy Implementation
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Leadership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Shared Governance
- Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Relationship Management
- Budget Management, Resource Allocation & Revenue Generation
- Emerging Technologies, Alternative Credentials & Flexible Learning Models
Technology And Systems
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- D2L
- Canvas
- Blackboard
- CID
- Oracle
- Taleo
- Workday
- PeopleSoft
- Teams
- Zoom
Board Memberships And Community Leadership
- Vice President of Programs, Leadership Broward (Executive Committee), 2019-01-01, Present
- Board Member, Crime Stoppers, 2019-01-01, Present
- Program Chair, Follow the Leader in You (FLY), 2020-01-01, Present
- Member, Club 211 Broward, 2020-01-01, Present
- Emeritus Representative, NSU Graduate Student Government Association, 2017-01-01, 2019-12-31
Past Affiliations
- ArtServe (Executive Board)
- PACE Center for Girls
- SOS Children’s Villages
- AFC Region V Commissioner
- Faculty Senate
- BrowardUP Community Engagement
- NAAUW
- Numerous hiring committees
- Additional leadership roles
Public Speaking And Scholarly Engagement
- Keynote Speaker, NACS Leadership Institute: Cultivating a Strong Community to Ensure Student Success
- Speaker, Nova Southeastern University Leadership Conference: Women in Leadership
- Facilitator, Leadership Broward: The Significance of Serving
- Keynote, Women of Tomorrow: Life Beyond High School
- Graduate Mentor & Facilitator, NSU Doctoral Summer Institute
- Lead Facilitator, Annual Nurse Week Conference, Broward College
Personal Information
Title: DEPUTY AVP, FACULTY & WORKFORCE SUCCESS
PUBLIC SPEAKING & SCHOLARLY ENGAGEMENT
Commencement Speaker, Plantation High School
Commencement Speaker, Boyd H. Anderson High School, Topic: “Beyond the Stage: Your Moment to Lead, Serve, and Transform”
Commencement Speaker, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School
Keynote Speaker,
Keynote Speaker,
Keynote Speaker, NACS Leadership Institute: Cultivating a Strong Community to Ensure Student Success
Speaker, Nova Southeastern University Leadership Conference: Women in Leadership
Facilitator, Leadership Broward: The Significance of Serving
Keynote, Women of Tomorrow: Life Beyond High School
Graduate Mentor & Facilitator, NSU Doctoral Summer Institute
Lead Facilitator, Annual Nurse Week Conference, Broward College
Keynote Speaker: Cultivating a Strong Community to Ensure Student Success
Nova Southeastern University Leadership Conference: Women in Leadership
Leadership Broward: The Significance of Serving
Women of Tomorrow: Life Beyond High School
Facilitator: NSU Doctoral Summer Institute
Annual Nurse Week Conference Lead Facilitator (Broward College)