Kelton H Bloxham

Kelton Bloxham (he/him) is a Graduate Student at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership and Policy. A proud Gen Z scholar and former Student Body President at Maryville College, Kelton was the college’s first openly gay president and earned a dual undergraduate degree in American Sign Language–Deaf Studies and Developmental Psychology. His leadership experience provided firsthand insight into navigating collegiate and political systems, fueling his dedication to fostering inclusive, equitable educational environments.

As a Bonner Scholar, Kelton completed over 3,500 hours of community service, primarily with education and disability-focused nonprofits across the country. Inspired by his disabled grandmother’s unique communication style, he adopted a “people first” mindset early on, which continues to guide his work in accessibility and advocacy. His nontraditional path into higher education shapes his student-centered approach to research, support services, and systemic change.

At the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC), Kelton collaborates with researchers to analyze and disseminate data on deaf individuals’ postsecondary experiences, focusing on improving access and equity. His work emphasizes the importance of data-driven insights to inform institutional practices and create supportive structures for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Kelton also serves in the Graduate Student Assembly and on various university-wide committees focused on access, leadership advising, and institutional inclusion efforts. Passionate about the intersection of education, accessibility, and policy, he aims to build a career in college administration while exploring avenues in political policy to promote inclusive design and transformative change across higher education and student affairs.