Jared C. Avery Joins APLU’s Office for Access and Success

To help support the growing efforts underway in the Office for Access and Success, APLU recently welcomed Jared C. Avery, Ph.D. as the new Associate Director for Access and Success Initiatives to provide comprehensive support around equity, access, and educational excellence for college student populations and minority-serving institutions.

Avery will also manage a collaboration of partnerships and initiatives; create and support original research; and engage in a host of other activities that support the mission of the office.

“Working for APLU’s Office for Access and Success is a tremendous opportunity and one that aligns closely with my own interests of broadening and improving the educational pipeline for underrepresented groups at the pre-college and college levels,” said Avery. “I am extremely excited to begin this journey and connect with others that share these interests.”

Prior to joining APLU, Avery served as the coordinator of the Core to College Program with the Louisiana Board of Regents. Avery supported the ongoing alignment of efforts concerning college and career readiness standards and the implementation of the college and career readiness assessments in the state. He also oversaw special projects promoting college access and completion within the agency.

Avery’s research interests include accessibility and degree-completion; academic and leadership development initiatives; and diversity in higher education. Most recently, he published articles and reports focused on the persistence of African-American male college students and the implementation of senior-year college readiness courses.

A Louisiana native, Avery is a three-time graduate of Louisiana State University, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and education with an emphasis in higher education and student affairs. He recently completed his doctoral degree in educational leadership and research.

“It will be a pleasure having Jared on board with us as we drive the collective mission and vision of both our office and organization forward,” said John Michael Lee, Jr., vice president for the Office for Access and Success at APLU. “I look forward to seeing great things from him in the future.”