Dr. Summer Graves is an education leader and data strategist who currently serves as the Director of Institutional Research, where she oversees data governance, IPEDS reporting, retention analytics, and strategic enrollment initiatives. With more than a decade of experience across K–12, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, she brings a rare combination of data expertise, instructional leadership, and equity-driven practice.
Dr. Graves holds a Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University, along with multiple graduate degrees in English, Teaching, and K–12 Leadership. She is nationally recognized for her work in literacy, trauma-informed leadership, and student success systems, having previously served as a founding principal and instructional leader who significantly improved academic outcomes for marginalized students by training stakeholders to interpret school accountability data and identify strategic focus areas.
Dr. Graves also teaches for two universities and serves as the official Dissertation Editor for JSU’s Executive Ph.D. Program, and leads a thriving dissertation consulting and coaching business, The Editor Doc, LLC. She also conducts dissertation writing workshops dedicated to supporting graduate students through research and writing processes.
She is passionate about expanding access, strengthening data-informed decision-making, and supporting students and institutions through high-quality analytics, research, and leadership.