Andrew “Drew” K. Koch, CEO of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education (Gardner Institute) since 2021, joined the non-profit Institute in 2010 to provide leadership for initiatives that enhance teaching, learning, student success, and completion in postsecondary education. The child of German immigrants and the recipient of need-based aid, Drew’s personal educational journey informs his dedication to educational improvement for all learners.

John N. Gardner is the Executive Chair and co-Founder of the Gardner Institute. John Gardner is an educator, university professor, and administrator, non-profit organization founder, author, public speaker, consultant, public intellectual and thought leader, change agent, student retention specialist, first-year, sophomore, transfer, and senior year students’ advocate, and initiator and scholar of multiple undergraduate education reform movements. He serves as Founder and Executive Chair of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. The Institute was founded by John and his wife, Betsy O. Barefoot, in October 1999.

Guest Interviewer:

Katie Locke is the Associate Vice President and Director of Marketing and Communications. She specializes in higher education marketing, strategic communications, brand strategy, and thought leadership. She leads the Gardner Institute’s marketing and communications strategy, helping translate complex research, institutional transformation efforts, and student success initiatives into compelling communications that engage higher education leaders. Her work strengthens the Institute’s national visibility and advances evidence-informed approaches to postsecondary transformation.