For nearly three decades, Renee Akins has dedicated her career to helping students access educational opportunities, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals. A first-generation college graduate, higher education leader, mentor, and philanthropist, Akins has built a career centered on service while remaining deeply connected to the Ball State University program that helped shape her professional journey.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Renee Akins Scholarship, a milestone that reflects her longstanding commitment to supporting students in Ball State’s Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE) master’s program.

Renee Akins stands outdoors, smiling and posing for the camera in front of a brick building with tan and brown tones and a white stone base. The building features long horizontal windows and a row of low hedges. A sidewalk runs behind her, with a curb and metal fence positioned just behind her. Akins has short, curly black hair pulled back with sunglasses resting on top of her head. She wears gold hoop earrings and a high-neck top with long trumpet sleeves and small decorative cutouts near the neckline. She pairs the top with seersucker-patterned pants and black shoes and holds a black feathered and beaded clutch purse.An Unexpected Path to Graduate School

A proud graduate of Muncie Community Schools, Akins earned degrees from Indiana University in 2007 and Ball State University in 2009. Today, she serves as Associate Director of Admissions for the Indiana University School of Medicine, the largest medical school in the United States, where she helps shape the future physician workforce through her work on admissions and hiring committees.

The path that ultimately shaped her career began unexpectedly.

“Pursuing the Student Affairs and Higher Education (SAAHE) program was never part of my original plan,” Akins said. “In fact, attending graduate school never crossed my mind.”

After encouragement from a colleague, she decided to apply to the program. The experience almost never happened. Akins submitted her application after the deadline and after formal interviews had concluded. However, the late Dr. John Hyman offered her a one-on-one interview, a gesture that left a lasting impression.

Reflecting on that moment years later, she still remembers the impact of being given a chance.

“His act of kindness and willingness to consider my application left a lasting impression on me,” she said.

That opportunity ultimately changed the course of her career.

Lessons That Last a Lifetime

While many experiences shaped her time in the SAAHE program, one stands out above the rest: participating in Professional Circles led by Dr. Roger Wessel.

The discussions brought together practitioners to share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange ideas about supporting students. More importantly, they helped shape the way she views her role in higher education.

“A lesson from Dr. Wessel has remained with me throughout my career,” she said. “He encouraged us not to think of ourselves solely as professionals, but as educators.”

The impact of that philosophy became increasingly evident as she worked with students facing a wide range of personal and academic challenges.

“Dr. Wessel’s guidance taught me the importance of listening with empathy and understanding the whole student,” Akins said. “As a result, I became a better listener, advocate, and practitioner.”

Throughout her nearly 30-year career, she has worked with students facing food insecurity, financial hardship, family responsibilities, and limited access to resources. Understanding those experiences, she says, is essential to supporting student success.

Another faculty member who made a lasting impact was Dr. Cathy Bickel, whose attention to writing and communication helped strengthen Akins’ professional skills. Today, those lessons continue to serve her in her role editing admissions correspondence and maintaining the Indiana University School of Medicine Office of Admissions website.

Renee Akins sits on a light brown horse in a saddle, smiling toward the camera on a bright, sunny day. She wears a black baseball cap, sunglasses, a purple shirt, black pants, and black sneakers, along with a watch featuring a red band. She appears to be holding an item tucked under her arm that may be a bag. In the background are two red brick buildings, and the ground is soft, well-trodden dirt, suggesting an outdoor riding or stable area.Building a Career in Higher Education

Akins’ higher education career began in 1992 at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). However, it was during her time at Ball State University as an International Admissions Assistant from 1998 to 2001 that she discovered her true calling.

Looking back, she identifies that period as a defining moment in her professional journey.

“I realized higher education was not simply a job, it was the career I wanted to pursue,” she said.

Since then, she has served in a variety of positions across Indiana University, including administrative roles, professional staff appointments, and teaching as a part-time lecturer. Through each role, she has remained focused on supporting students and helping them navigate their educational journeys.

Nearly 30 years into her career, students remain the driving force behind her work.

“Their stories, aspirations, and perseverance continue to inspire my commitment to higher education nearly three decades later,” Akins said.

She especially values witnessing the full-circle journey from enrollment to graduation and creating opportunities for students from all backgrounds to pursue their educational goals.

A Commitment to First-Generation Students

As a first-generation college graduate herself, Akins understands the challenges many students face when navigating higher education.

Today, she serves as Co-Advisor of the First-Generation Student Organization at Indiana University, mentoring students and helping them build the confidence and resources needed to succeed. Her own experiences continue to fuel her passion for expanding educational access and fostering a sense of belonging for future generations.

That commitment to supporting others extends well beyond her professional responsibilities.

Three people stand smiling in front of a projection screen displaying the message, “Welcome to the SAAHE End-of-the-Year Celebration!” Renee Akins, scholarship donor and SAAHE alumna, stands in the center between the two recipients of the Renee Akins Scholarship. The students on either side of her hold large red gift bags with “Congratulations” handwritten on the front.The student on the left wears a vibrant long-sleeved wrap dress featuring pink, blue, yellow, white, and black patterns and has shoulder-length brown hair secured away from her face with small clips. Akins wears a predominantly black sleeveless dress with a subtle floral pattern and has long black braids pulled back from her face. The student on the right wears dark blue dress pants, a blue patterned sport coat with black trim, and a white dress shirt. He has short black hair and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. SAAHE, which stands for Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, is a master's degree program at Ball State University.

Renee Akins with the 2026 Scholarship recipients.

Fifteen Years of Investing in Students

Approximately 15 years ago, Akins established the Renee Akins Scholarship at Ball State to support students in the SAAHE program.

The scholarship grew out of an awareness of a need she saw firsthand throughout higher education.

“I recognized that relatively few scholarship opportunities were available to graduate students,” she said. “I understood how even a modest scholarship could make a meaningful difference.”

What began as a single $200 scholarship has grown over time. In celebration of the scholarship’s 15th anniversary, Akins increased the award from one $200 scholarship to two $500 scholarships.

The decision reflects her desire to provide more meaningful support to students balancing academic and personal responsibilities.

“Expanding the scholarship to two $500 awards was an opportunity to increase the impact and support more students,” she said. “I wanted to make a more meaningful difference in helping students manage expenses such as textbooks, rent, transportation, and other necessities while they focus on their academic and professional goals.”

At its heart, the scholarship is about encouragement as much as financial support.

“I wanted students to know someone believed in them and was willing to invest in their success,” she said.

Creating a Legacy of Service

The scholarship’s longevity has reinforced an important lesson about philanthropy and service.

“Even modest acts of giving can have a lasting impact,” she said. “Watching students benefit from this support has affirmed my commitment to service, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others.”

Her hope is that scholarship recipients will carry that spirit forward throughout their own careers.

Looking beyond the immediate impact of the award, she hopes students recognize the importance of investing in others.

“Whether through mentorship, advocacy, service, or philanthropy, I hope they will one day invest in future generations just as others invested in them,” Akins said.

That vision reflects the values that have defined her career: service, leadership, and a commitment to helping others succeed.

Advice for Future Student Affairs Leaders

For students preparing to enter the profession, she encourages confidence and self-advocacy.

“Do not accept ‘no’ as the final answer,” she said. “Be willing to advocate for yourself and for others, especially those whose voices may not always be heard.”

Just as importantly, she believes higher education professionals must remain grounded in the purpose behind their work.

“Our work is about people, their aspirations, challenges, and potential,” Akins said. “When you lead with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to serving others, you can make a lasting impact on students and the communities they will go on to serve.”

Renee Akins is pictured from behind as she prepares to toss a cardboard box into a garbage truck during a Keep Indy Beautiful cleanup event. The truck already contains assorted debris, including a large plastic container and an item with a white base and purple and green floral pattern. Additional litter is visible on the ground nearby.In the background, dense green trees partially obscure a bridge structure. Akins wears her dark hair pulled back with a gray headband, a gray long-sleeve shirt under a green T-shirt, gray work gloves, jeans, and white sneakers. A gray zip-up sweatshirt is tied around her waist, suggesting she had removed it earlier due to the heat.

The Great Indy Cleanup: Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

Continuing the Impact

Looking back on her career, Akins finds fulfillment in knowing her generosity has helped support generations of future student affairs professionals.

For her, the true reward is seeing others continue the work of supporting students and strengthening communities.

“It is rewarding to see new generations of students pursuing careers in higher education and student affairs and to know I contributed to their journey,” she said.

She believes alumni have a unique opportunity to shape the future by investing in those who come after them.

“The students who follow us are the future of our profession and our communities. By supporting them today, we help create opportunities that will extend far beyond our own careers and leave a legacy for generations to come.”

Through her leadership, mentorship, and philanthropy, Akins continues to embody the mission of the SAAHE program: investing in people, expanding opportunities, and helping students realize their full potential.