Sean Huddleston was named the next president of Martin University on Jan. 7, 2019. He began working at the University of Indianapolis in June 2017 when the new position of the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion opened. During his time at UIndy, Huddleston focused on diversity, inclusion and expanding the conversation. His office worked to start Open Mic Dialogues to get students talking about sensitive issues and started a leadership program in honor of an employee, amongst other things.
Martin University is a private, not-for-profit, liberal arts institution in Indianapolis, Ind. and was started in 1977. According to its website, Martin is Indiana’s only Predominantly Black Institution of higher education. Huddleston will be Martin’s sixth president, following current president Eugene White, who worked on “growing enrolment, addressing affordability, increasing funding and preparing students to successfully compete in the workforce” during his tenure, according to an article from Diverse Issues in Higher Education.
In a press release from Martin, Huddleston said: “I am deeply honored and extremely excited to have been selected to serve as the next President of Martin University. I truly believe that its rich history and mission make Martin one of the most important higher education institutions in our region. Dr. Eugene White did a tremendous job leading the institution, resulting in Martin’s being stable and poised for growth. I am looking forward to working side-by-side with Martin’s faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and friends to help the university achieve new heights while continuing to preserve the great legacies of our founders, Father Boniface Hardin and Sister Jane Schilling.”
His appointment is the result of a nationwide search that began after White announced his retirement in August 2017 after six years of leading the university, according to an article from Inside Indiana Business. Huddleston has served in other positions in higher education. Before coming to UIndy, he was the chief officer of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement at Framingham State University in Massachusetts, and also was a vice president at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, according to UIndy 360.
Huddleston will receive his farewell from UIndy on Feb. 20 and begin working at Martin on March 25.
