Dr. Eddie Summers is a higher education executive and professor. He currently serves as Vice President for Administrative Affairs at Anaheim University, overseeing accreditation and operations. Dr. Summers also serves as the Director of The Cadence Institute for Policy and Society, a research and policy center focused on issues of law, democracy, civil rights, economic and community development, mental health, and higher education. Dr. Summers co-authored a vital study entitled, “U.S. HIV/AIDS Funding Cuts and Their Impact on LGBTQ+ Communities in collaboration with The Thinkubator. He was the Executive Director of Pridelines, where he has led transformative growth and fundraising efforts.
Prior to his role at Pridelines, he was the Program Director and Primary Therapist at i-Kare Treatment Center and Primary Therapist at United Recovery Project in Palm Beach County. He is also a partner with The Thinkubator Counseling, a Florida-based holistic mental and physical health organization focused on providing health and wellness to the LGBTQ community. Before his professional experience in Florida, Dr. Summers was the Founder, President, and CEO of The Thinkubator, a Bronx-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities through education and opportunity.
Dr. Summers has extensive experience in higher education, having served in leadership roles at institutions such as Marist College, Union College, and Long Island University. At Marist College, he worked to expand opportunity programs and develop international service-learning initiatives. At Union College, he served as Chief of Staff to the President, leading strategic planning efforts and strengthening community and government relations.
As Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Long Island University, Dr. Summers oversaw university strategy, academic assessment, and special initiatives while also serving as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration. These experiences have shaped his commitment to creating pathways for success and fostering inclusive environments in both academic and community settings.
With more than 20 years of experience in public policy, youth empowerment, and mental health, Dr. Summers has been trained at some of the most reputable institutions in the country, including Marist College and The New School. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil from The New School. An advocate for diversity, equity, and justice, he empowers young people, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community through education, leadership development, and innovative programming. Dr. Summers is currently enrolled in law school at Northwestern California University School of Law.
