Overview

Dr. Pamela K. Gardner is a proud Latina and first-generation college student with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina’s Honors Program and the University of Vermont, as well as a doctorate in Leadership and Policy Studies. Advocating visionary and inclusive leadership, her dissertation research promoted the use of personal narrative for individual and team development, as well as career counseling.

The need to meaningfully contribute is critical to human beings. Pamela focuses on building teams that recognize the unique stories and skills of each member, identifying strengths and areas for growth, as well as acknowledging external supports and barriers. As a department head, a divisional leader, and a consultant in corporations and educational institutions, she has devoted her career to facilitating reflective, forward-thinking teams that use iterative processes to create transformation.

Since starting her career in higher education, Pamela has personally assisted thousands of students to explore and launch their careers and tens of thousands more professionals to create systemic approaches to the work. She has instructed graduate and undergraduate courses, developed and presented campus-wide staff development programs, served on committees, planning teams and commissions and presented programs at ACPA, NASPA, EACE, NACE and VAPT.

Especially interested in the success of those with historically marginalized identities, Pamela initiated mentoring programs for students and staff of color and supported the creation of affinity groups. She founded and advised the club: Alianza Latinx; served as both chair and co-chair of a divisional team which assessed every student affairs department’s DEI efforts, creating evaluating reports and sharing best practice;, was selected for the university President’s Commission on LGBT Equity, coached NASPA NUFPs, and ensured that the Career Center she directed developed deep collaborative relationships with all campus identity centers.

An experienced speaker and facilitator, Pamela has worked with groups on using personal narrative in professional development, understanding the demands of the 21st century workforce, integrating DEIB into organizations, and transforming our approach to career development. She has been invited as external evaluator to numerous institutions reviewing their Career Services operations, including DEIB efforts .