Former TICAS President & CEO Sameer Gadkaree Joins Student Defense’s Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Former TICAS President & CEO Sameer Gadkaree Joins Student Defense’s Board of Directors
Washington, D.C. — Student Defense announced today that former TICAS (The Institute for College Access & Success) President and CEO Sameer Gadkaree is joining its Board of Directors. Gadkaree brings more than 15 years of experience promoting college access and economic opportunity for students across the country.
Gadkaree currently serves as the Vice President of Student Success at Didactica, a startup that empowers college faculty to create AI-powered content for their classes while reducing student costs.
He previously served as the President and CEO of TICAS and led higher education and future-of-work grantmaking at the Joyce Foundation. Gadkaree also served as an Associate Vice Chancellor for adult education at the City Colleges of Chicago, where he oversaw delivery of adult literacy, high school equivalency, and English language classes to more than 30,000 adults. He has testified twice before Congress on higher education policy.
“Sameer has spent his career advancing opportunity in higher education, both as an advocate and a funder,” said Aaron Ament, President of Student Defense. “His expertise, strategic perspective and passion for the work we do will be a huge asset for our Board of Directors, and will help us deepen our impact.”
“Higher education has the power to transform lives, and Student Defense is working every day to ensure everyone has access to a quality education that serves as a pathway to opportunity,” said Sameer Gadkaree. “I’m honored to be joining the board to advance this mission at such a critical moment for students across the country.”
Gadkaree joins Mohamed Abdel-Kader, Saba Bireda, Jacek Pruski, John Robinson and Joy Silvern on the Board of Directors. With expertise spanning higher education, law, policy, and advocacy, the Board guides the organization's strategic direction as Student Defense works to protect students’ rights and expand educational opportunity across the country.
Read Sameer’s full bio here.
