Meredith Austin

Meredith Austin, Ed.D., is an Adjunct Lecturer in Education and Associate Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Rice University’s Center for Education, appointed in 2024. In these roles, she contributes significantly to preparing future educators through the MAT program, which develops essential skills in communication, empathy, critical thinking, and designing engaging, inclusive learning experiences valuable in any field. Dr. Austin instructs courses such as EDUC 301, EDUC 545 Educational Technology and Digital Learning, and EDUC 345, and supervises independent studies from her office in the Anderson-Clarke Center. Her work at Rice emphasizes teacher preparation and educational program development.

Dr. Austin holds a BA from the University of Texas at Arlington (2006), an MA from Sam Houston State University (2012), and an EdD from the University of St. Thomas (2019). With over 15 years of experience in K-12 and higher education leadership, she previously contributed to programs at Johns Hopkins University and the University of St. Thomas in Houston. As Chair of the Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s Advisory Council for Gifted/Talented Education, she leverages her expertise in advanced academics and gifted education to advocate for diverse student needs. In 2020, Dr. Austin was named State Advocate of the Year. She has published research in gifted education and local history, integrating her teaching, program development, and stakeholder collaboration to advance education across contexts.

Professional Email: meredith.austin@rice.edu