Indy Standard

Welcome to the IPS Employee Spotlight, a series that highlights the individuals making an impact in the Indianapolis Public Schools district. In this session, Austin Dodd, Director of High School Academies and Pathways, shares his experiences and insights.

Austin manages advanced programs such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual credit pathways. He supports high school academies, writing centers, and postsecondary persistence by managing coordinators and specialists. Previously, he served as the School Counseling Coordinator for over 45 counselors.

In addition to his role at IPS, Austin is an adjunct instructor at Oakland City University. He holds a Doctorate in Education from Oakland City University, a Building Level Administrator License from Ball State University, and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Johnson University. His credentials include a Building Level Administrator License, School Counseling License, and National Board Certified Counselor certification.

Before his current roles, Austin worked as a school counselor, testing coordinator, and instructional assistant. His diverse background underscores his commitment to student development.

Austin recently completed his third year with Indianapolis Public Schools’ Postsecondary Readiness department. He joined the district in 2022 as the school counseling coordinator after entering public education in 2018.

He oversees high school advanced academics and postsecondary community partnerships at IPS. His team recently redesigned the Future Center staffing model to better serve students' educational needs after high school.

"I selected TeamIPS because of the supportive team that allows us to dream big and put students first," Austin said about choosing IPS.

Reflecting on his time at IPS compared to previous experiences, he stated: "I have been continuously surrounded by professionals who challenge the status quo to ensure IPS students have the best opportunities."

"Education is power and unlocks possibilities," Austin said when asked why education is important to him.

A rewarding moment for Austin was supporting early college expansion to three campuses: "These three graduates mark a time in history that signals just the beginning of early college work yet to come."

When discussing daily motivation strategies, he emphasized relationships: "Relationships are at the core of who we are first as humans and secondly as employees."

For new educators or staff members joining IPS, Austin advises: "Try new things, get engaged! Don’t hesitate to explore new things because they will lead to new relationships."