How would you recommend somebody my age
 2
00:00:03.136 --> 00:00:06.373 to go out and start being involved in our communities?
 3
00:00:06.673 --> 00:00:08.775 Well, honestly, just do it.
 4
00:00:08.775 --> 00:00:11.811 It's just kind of like the it's kind of like the Nike slogan, right?
 5
00:00:11.811 --> 00:00:14.647 It's figuring out what you really enjoy doing,
 6
00:00:14.647 --> 00:00:16.383 and just trying a bunch of different things,
 7
00:00:16.383 --> 00:00:20.453 knowing that, there's no wrong way to be involved in community.
 8
00:00:20.487 --> 00:00:23.223 Right? So my recommendation is try it.
 9
00:00:23.223 --> 00:00:25.458 Doesn't mean you have to do it forever, right?
 10
00:00:25.458 --> 00:00:27.394 But commit to whatever you commit to.
 11
00:00:27.394 --> 00:00:29.262 So if you tell them you're going to do it for three months,
 12
00:00:29.262 --> 00:00:31.664 do it for three months, but after that, you might be like,
 13
00:00:31.664 --> 00:00:33.566 that's not the thing that I'm interested in.
 14
00:00:33.566 --> 00:00:37.404 There's so many things for us to do in community, right, to support each other
 15
00:00:37.404 --> 00:00:38.571 and to support the work.
 16
00:00:38.571 --> 00:00:40.240 So, there's room for everybody
 17
00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:42.842 and there's room for you to find the thing that excites you.
 18
00:00:42.842 --> 00:00:45.345 I am a big fan of just getting out there and trying something,
 19
00:00:45.345 --> 00:00:48.214 letting that not be the right thing and then finding something else. Right.
 20
00:00:48.214 --> 00:00:50.250 But just keep moving and you keep showing up.
 

2025 SXSW Conference
Interviewed in Austin, TX but works in Kansas City, MO USA.
advanced-degree

I recommend just getting out there and trying things. There is no wrong way to be involved in community. Try to hone in on an aspect you're interested in and then find an opportunity to try it out. If it ends up not being the right fit, try something else. Just keep moving and keep showing up for your community.

I spend my days building systems that help our team move as one, aligning strategy, communication, and community impact. As director of strategic initiatives, I guide our grantmaking work toward real change in entrepreneurship, education, and workforce development. Every part of my day connects back to purpose, people, and finding our shared direction.

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Community

Advice For Engaging With Community

You've mentioned parents and like, we've both,
 2
00:00:03.603 --> 00:00:06.373 you know, had amazing, like, I don't know, upbringings
 3
00:00:06.373 --> 00:00:08.708 and like people who like, really poured into us.
 4
00:00:08.708 --> 00:00:10.377 But I know that that's not always possible
 5
00:00:10.377 --> 00:00:14.114 for a lot of people, especially, you know, people in disadvantaged communities.
 6
00:00:14.114 --> 00:00:15.715 And so I'm curious, like
 7
00:00:15.715 --> 00:00:19.319 how have you found ways to meet people where they are both like the parents,
 8
00:00:19.319 --> 00:00:22.489 but then also like students when you're actually teaching them these things?
 9
00:00:22.622 --> 00:00:27.622 I think helping parents, one, know that conversations are important.
 10
00:00:28.128 --> 00:00:31.131 The kids I grew up with, their dad might not have been around,
 11
00:00:31.231 --> 00:00:32.665 but they're around the,
 12
00:00:32.665 --> 00:00:35.535 you know, the kids this generation, they're around for their kids.
 13
00:00:35.535 --> 00:00:39.305 And, you know, they're pouring into their kids as best as they can.
 14
00:00:39.305 --> 00:00:41.074 And so I think that's where you meet them.
 15
00:00:41.074 --> 00:00:43.410 You know, where they're motivated.
 16
00:00:43.410 --> 00:00:45.678 They're there, they're pouring into their kids.
 17
00:00:45.678 --> 00:00:48.648 How do you support them in doing that?
 18
00:00:48.648 --> 00:00:52.585 In ways that, you know, will improve the odds that their kids can
 19
00:00:52.585 --> 00:00:53.486 make it through?
 20
00:00:53.486 --> 00:00:56.990 I just see, regardless of kind of the political climate,
 21
00:00:56.990 --> 00:01:01.761 I think there's just been a push to empower technology,
 22
00:01:01.795 --> 00:01:05.598 or enable technology to replace things
 23
00:01:05.598 --> 00:01:09.269 that we need to develop as human beings.
 24
00:01:09.402 --> 00:01:13.673 But at the same time, like you yourself work in a field that you know, utilizes
 25
00:01:13.706 --> 00:01:16.876 technology to be able to educate and bring knowledge
 26
00:01:16.876 --> 00:01:18.344 to people that otherwise wouldn't have it.
 27
00:01:18.344 --> 00:01:23.083 So I'm curious how you kind of balance what seems like the dichotomy of,
 28
00:01:23.083 --> 00:01:26.953 you know, technology to replace versus technology to augment.
 29
00:01:27.287 --> 00:01:31.991 For me, like, I think, how can technology be used to like, strengthen
 30
00:01:31.991 --> 00:01:35.295 human relationships, strengthen human connections, strengthen
 31
00:01:35.295 --> 00:01:39.032 like real conversations, to help people connect
 32
00:01:39.032 --> 00:01:42.902 to people and places in ways that are meaningful.
 33
00:01:42.936 --> 00:01:47.373 And so technology can be used to do that versus looking at technology
 34
00:01:47.373 --> 00:01:48.675 to give you the answer.
 

2024 BMHE Roadtrip
entrepreneur
did-not-complete-college

It's important to take classes and seek out experiences that support entrepreneurship.

Every day, I work to make math more engaging for kids and families. As the founder of MathTalk, I create tools that turn everyday spaces—parks, businesses, and train stations—into fun, interactive math-learning environments. Whether testing our Math Everywhere app, partnering with local businesses, or exploring new ways to integrate math into daily life, my goal is to help kids see math not as a subject to fear but as something meaningful and exciting​.

Founder & CEO

Math and advanced education are only for certain groups of students.

Utilizing Technology To Aid Learning

You talked a lot about helping students find a sense of belonging
 2
00:00:02.936 --> 00:00:04.471 and mentoring students.
 3
00:00:04.471 --> 00:00:07.941 How did you get to that point in your life where you felt you found your
 4
00:00:08.108 --> 00:00:09.209 sense of belonging?
 5
00:00:09.209 --> 00:00:13.246 It is a continuous journey, but I had to be honest with myself.
 6
00:00:13.246 --> 00:00:17.317 So identifying and being able to be comfortable, publicly identifying
 7
00:00:17.317 --> 00:00:20.854 as a queer black male, the first time I said it, out loud in the public sector,
 8
00:00:20.887 --> 00:00:25.225 I was in my thirties. And so for me doing that, I also understand is that how
 9
00:00:25.225 --> 00:00:30.130 I'm showing up as myself helps others be authentic and show for themselves.
 10
00:00:30.130 --> 00:00:33.867 And so I think really how I find I belong is community.
 11
00:00:34.501 --> 00:00:39.072 and so who am I connecting with that pours into me
 12
00:00:39.072 --> 00:00:41.141 and that that pouring into me
 13
00:00:41.141 --> 00:00:44.277 allows me also pour to them and so it's having that community.
 14
00:00:44.277 --> 00:00:48.548 But it all started with me having to be honest with myself and question.
 15
00:00:48.548 --> 00:00:50.483 And so I had to understand,
 16
00:00:50.483 --> 00:00:53.219 How can I give myself to someone else if I don't know who I am?
 17
00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:58.219 And so that has been a transformative journey of discovery of who am I?
 18
00:00:58.925 --> 00:01:00.660 Who is Marques Rand Dexter.
 19
00:01:00.660 --> 00:01:04.998 So for me, it has truly been a journey of discovery of myself.
 20
00:01:05.198 --> 00:01:07.033 And through that journey,
 21
00:01:07.033 --> 00:01:11.137 how does that also create space for others to do the same?
 22
00:01:11.304 --> 00:01:13.740 To feel comfortable regardless of who they are,
 23
00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:16.776 How you taking up space as who you are and how you identify
 24
00:01:17.043 --> 00:01:19.279 does not impede on the space I take up.
 25
00:01:19.279 --> 00:01:23.249 And if it does, then I need to think about, well, is there enough space
 26
00:01:23.249 --> 00:01:26.252 and what is this space and am I comfortable in this space
 27
00:01:26.419 --> 00:01:30.023 because how I show up in my space has no boundaries.
 28
00:01:30.256 --> 00:01:32.225 So I'm always going to interact with others.
 29
00:01:32.225 --> 00:01:34.327 And so as we all kind of say it's a vibe.
 30
00:01:34.327 --> 00:01:37.730 And so I'mma navigate this system and every system
 31
00:01:37.897 --> 00:01:41.601 as best as I possibly can without losing myself.
 32
00:01:42.035 --> 00:01:43.236 You know, people knowing
 33
00:01:43.236 --> 00:01:47.607 I'm queer has nothing to do with the work I can do or anything else.
 34
00:01:47.607 --> 00:01:51.544 But at the same time, I know for some students and some individuals
 35
00:01:51.878 --> 00:01:55.448 it affirms who they are and know, regardless of who you are,
 36
00:01:55.715 --> 00:01:58.451 you can ascend to whatever levels and do what you want to do.
 37
00:01:58.451 --> 00:02:00.453 That's just a part of who you are.
 

Your path must be unique, intentional, and informed by your experiences, identities, and skills. There's no such thing as one way to pursue a career path. I'm a career changer and this career path took me into my 30s to realize this is the type of work I love to do and the environment that I truly thrive in.

Making the decision to change careers was huge for me. I looked to my mother and grandmother for guidance and after receiving their support, I went for it. I look back now at how happy and free I felt that I got to start anew.

Finding my sense of belonging included becoming comfortable publicly identifying as a queer Black male. You can't give yourself to someone else (those you're trying to support) if you're not showing up as your true authentic self.

No two days are the same in my work supporting Black male students at the University of Georgia. Some days, I’m strategizing new programs. Other days, I’m mentoring students, consulting with faculty, or analyzing data to anticipate challenges. I make sure students feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach their goals.

Associate Director in the Office of Inclusive Excellence

Individuality

Showing Up As Your Full Authentic Self

Did community play a huge role in you wanting to pursue law?
 2
00:00:03.136 --> 00:00:04.938 Like, what was that path to get into law?
 3
00:00:04.938 --> 00:00:09.938 My journey was different because I was going to law school at night,
 4
00:00:10.176 --> 00:00:13.947 and I was an officer in the Navy at the same time.
 5
00:00:14.214 --> 00:00:16.249 As I became an officer,
 6
00:00:16.282 --> 00:00:20.587 I went to Philadelphia, and I was exposed to some community organizers
 7
00:00:21.054 --> 00:00:24.758 who were doing neighborhood beautification projects.
 8
00:00:24.758 --> 00:00:29.095 We were having what's called African Center Study Groups, and we were reading books.
 9
00:00:29.095 --> 00:00:32.298 And from there, community just kind of began
 10
00:00:32.298 --> 00:00:35.602 to inform my decisions about the direction of my life.
 11
00:00:35.835 --> 00:00:39.039 There was a one of a kind
 12
00:00:39.139 --> 00:00:42.409 HBCU program through Bowie State University,
 13
00:00:42.642 --> 00:00:45.645 where they offered a master's in public administration,
 14
00:00:45.779 --> 00:00:48.748 but I never set foot on campus, so they would have
 15
00:00:48.748 --> 00:00:53.586 the instructors come to the base and we would spend the weekend learning.
 16
00:00:53.720 --> 00:00:56.723 And when I finished, that was in May of '98.
 17
00:00:57.157 --> 00:01:02.095 And in August, I was starting Georgia State Law School part time program.
 18
00:01:02.162 --> 00:01:03.997 While I was in Georgia State,
 19
00:01:03.997 --> 00:01:06.966 I was able to work as a graduate research assistant
 20
00:01:06.966 --> 00:01:11.237 in the African American Studies department, it's now Africana Studies.
 21
00:01:11.371 --> 00:01:15.408 And ultimately, I was able to reconnect with my law school friend,
 22
00:01:15.408 --> 00:01:19.746 Robert Boseman, who's another HBCU grad from Florida A&amp;M University
 23
00:01:19.913 --> 00:01:24.913 And linked up in 2007 and started Davis Bozeman Law,
 24
00:01:25.452 --> 00:01:27.420 and have been building ever since.
 25
00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:30.890 I did a lot of criminal defense, so I represented folks from
 26
00:01:31.257 --> 00:01:32.759 misdemeanors to murder.
 27
00:01:32.759 --> 00:01:35.862 Then I began a transition into civil rights law.
 28
00:01:35.862 --> 00:01:40.862 So most of what I do now is represent people who've been either injured,
 29
00:01:41.034 --> 00:01:44.737 mostly honestly, who've been killed during law enforcement encounters.
 30
00:01:44.871 --> 00:01:47.774 So when I say community, what we say here,
 31
00:01:47.774 --> 00:01:50.977 even at our law firm, is that we are not self-made.
 32
00:01:51.010 --> 00:01:52.212 We are community made.
 33
00:01:52.212 --> 00:01:54.214 That's one of our slogans
 34
00:01:54.214 --> 00:01:57.817 because we've relied on the community to build us, to choose us.
 35
00:01:57.951 --> 00:02:00.386 You keep thinking when things get hard,
 36
00:02:00.386 --> 00:02:04.057 you think about your community, who sent you here, who will rely on you,
 37
00:02:04.057 --> 00:02:07.160 the young people that are now looking up to you, right.
 38
00:02:07.160 --> 00:02:09.229 And the elders who invested in you.
 39
00:02:09.229 --> 00:02:11.264 And so this is all about community.
 40
00:02:11.264 --> 00:02:13.299 Your journey is, as well as mine.
 

2024 BMHE Roadtrip
veteran
navy
advanced-degree
hbcu

As a civil rights attorney, my days are spent fighting for justice—suing cities, police, and jails when they violate people’s rights. I collaborate with organizers to build power in Black communities and teach the next generation of leaders at Clark Atlanta University. Beyond the courtroom, I mentor young Black men, helping them see their potential and find their path.

Founding Partner

Inspiration

How Community Influenced My Career In Law

Do you have any like tips, advice or things of that nature?
 2
00:00:03.436 --> 00:00:05.071 So much advice I think.
 3
00:00:05.071 --> 00:00:06.773 just find your people.
 4
00:00:06.773 --> 00:00:11.773 And I can remember back to when I was kind of exploring
 5
00:00:11.945 --> 00:00:15.115 what now I know is called civic tech or public interest tech.
 6
00:00:15.181 --> 00:00:18.918 I felt like I was the only person that had these interests in technology,
 7
00:00:18.918 --> 00:00:20.954 but also social impact and public service.
 8
00:00:20.954 --> 00:00:23.923 And that is a really isolating place to be.
 9
00:00:23.923 --> 00:00:25.492 And finding your peers,
 10
00:00:25.492 --> 00:00:29.629 finding other people who are similarly minded is really powerful.
 11
00:00:29.629 --> 00:00:32.866 And I think we're really lucky now There are a number of nonprofit
 12
00:00:32.866 --> 00:00:35.168 organizations, a number of groups out there
 13
00:00:35.168 --> 00:00:38.605 whose job is to build community and share resources and job
 14
00:00:38.605 --> 00:00:42.842 opportunities in this space, and so seek those out, find them.
 15
00:00:43.043 --> 00:00:45.645 I think that is what I encourage people to do.
 16
00:00:45.645 --> 00:00:50.645 And I think also to take an expansive look at what public interest technology is.
 17
00:00:51.718 --> 00:00:52.786 I am biased always.
 18
00:00:52.786 --> 00:00:55.355 I will always say, Hey, I think the digital corps
 19
00:00:55.355 --> 00:00:57.991 is a great opportunity for people starting their career.
 20
00:00:57.991 --> 00:01:02.529 But the reality is public interest technology is not just the U.S.
 21
00:01:02.529 --> 00:01:03.163 Digital Core.
 22
00:01:03.163 --> 00:01:06.466 It is not just the work that we do here in the federal government.
 23
00:01:06.800 --> 00:01:09.602 There's so much to be done at the state and local level.
 24
00:01:09.602 --> 00:01:13.273 Often your local government, even nonprofit organizations.
 25
00:01:13.273 --> 00:01:17.944 Often that is where you can see and direct day to day impact on people's lives.
 26
00:01:18.044 --> 00:01:21.714 So don't be afraid to look in different areas that aren't
 27
00:01:21.714 --> 00:01:24.851 just kind of the big shiny programs, because at the end of the day,
 28
00:01:24.918 --> 00:01:26.786 this work is everywhere.
 29
00:01:26.786 --> 00:01:28.521 And I think the last thing related to finding
 30
00:01:28.521 --> 00:01:32.092 your people is One of the coolest things about public interest is like
 31
00:01:32.092 --> 00:01:33.460 none of us are competitors.
 32
00:01:33.460 --> 00:01:36.863 No one is competing to say, Hey, I've got a profit margin
 33
00:01:36.863 --> 00:01:39.866 we got to make sure that I earn more than you or put you out of business.
 34
00:01:40.066 --> 00:01:41.401 Like we're all on the same team.
 35
00:01:41.401 --> 00:01:43.002 We're all trying to make the world a better place.
 36
00:01:43.002 --> 00:01:46.606 And so I tell people, don't hesitate to play the student card.
 37
00:01:46.606 --> 00:01:48.741 Don't hesitate to play the new here card.
 38
00:01:48.741 --> 00:01:52.378 And what I mean by that is just reach out to people cold email message
 39
00:01:52.378 --> 00:01:55.548 someone on LinkedIn and say, I'm interested in what you do.
 40
00:01:55.548 --> 00:01:59.152 Like, can we do coffee and can I ask you questions?
 41
00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:02.689 because often when I tell people what we do here at the Digital Core,
 42
00:02:02.889 --> 00:02:07.026 one of the responses that we get is like, shoot I wish a program like that existed
 43
00:02:07.160 --> 00:02:08.761 when I was coming out of school.
 44
00:02:08.761 --> 00:02:12.765 So people are really wanting to pay that forward and to lean into that
 45
00:02:12.866 --> 00:02:15.935 but at the end of the day, a piece of advice is just jump right in
 46
00:02:15.935 --> 00:02:19.272 and apply to that job, reach out to that person.
 47
00:02:19.272 --> 00:02:23.243 And this world has a funny way of kind of putting in a position to do
 48
00:02:23.243 --> 00:02:24.277 cool things.
 

There is no one path to take. We are more effective when our cohorts embody the breadth of life experiences of people across the country. Especially in technology, we know that there are so many non-traditional educational paths. At the U.S. Digital Corps, we all have varied backgrounds. We have almost 100 colleges and universities represented among our fellows and even more fields of study. We have career changers and former military, as well as many people who joined right out of school.

These days, I spend a lot of time in meetings. We now have a team of 10-15 program staff supporting over 120 Fellows, and there's a lot to discuss. On any given day, it may be Fellow learning and development (i.e. what kinds of trainings and topics we should facilitate), recruitment and selection of our next cohort, and helping Fellows and agencies troubleshoot individual issues. It definitely keeps me on my toes and requires a lot of context switching. 

Co-Founder & Deputy Director

Support & Encouragement

Advice For People Interested In Public Interest Technology

How can we and, like, viewers stay up to date
 2
00:00:03.336 --> 00:00:04.604 with, like, the work that you're doing?
 3
00:00:04.604 --> 00:00:08.008 And then also, do you have any like, advice for us?
 4
00:00:08.008 --> 00:00:12.178 My advice for the general public is A, understand what you're being sold.
 5
00:00:12.178 --> 00:00:16.282 B, if you're not paying for something, there's a good chance
 6
00:00:16.282 --> 00:00:19.819 that you are being sold to somebody else.
 7
00:00:20.053 --> 00:00:24.924 And three, is really root yourself in community because when you have strong
 8
00:00:25.158 --> 00:00:29.362 grass roots, the rest of the plant is just going to be beautiful
 9
00:00:29.629 --> 00:00:31.031 So make sure that you cultivate
 10
00:00:31.031 --> 00:00:33.800 those grass roots and find solidarity with your neighbors,
 11
00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:36.803 because you're going to enrich your own understanding of technology,
 12
00:00:36.903 --> 00:00:39.639 through the problems and the issues that your neighbors face.
 13
00:00:39.639 --> 00:00:44.639 Your role is really to find your most passionate local community issue
 14
00:00:45.245 --> 00:00:47.781 and embed yourself in understanding
 15
00:00:47.781 --> 00:00:49.983 what you want to see improved in your neighborhood.
 16
00:00:49.983 --> 00:00:53.053 You know, like we have many issues, whether it's climate, housing,
 17
00:00:53.053 --> 00:00:55.321 education, food insecurity.
 18
00:00:55.321 --> 00:00:56.589 Go volunteer.
 19
00:00:56.589 --> 00:01:00.493 You will develop a very unique network with your neighbors.
 20
00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:01.761 The second thing is,
 21
00:01:01.761 --> 00:01:03.296 look at some of the national groups
 22
00:01:03.296 --> 00:01:05.598 that are out there within your particular industry.
 23
00:01:05.598 --> 00:01:06.933 So if you're a designer,
 24
00:01:06.933 --> 00:01:09.135 if you're a technologist, you're a data analyst,
 25
00:01:09.135 --> 00:01:12.806 there is a lane for you to find other people.
 26
00:01:12.939 --> 00:01:17.939 if you don't have a local technology outlet or you can't find,
 27
00:01:18.111 --> 00:01:22.816 a national group to participate, go work with your city council member.
 28
00:01:22.949 --> 00:01:26.786 Go work for whatever entity that you have access
 29
00:01:26.786 --> 00:01:28.621 to within the inside of city government.
 30
00:01:28.621 --> 00:01:30.090 Think about your skills.
 31
00:01:30.090 --> 00:01:34.094 Try to offer your skills to nonprofit organizations
 32
00:01:34.394 --> 00:01:38.431 that can really use that help. If they don't know how to leverage
 33
00:01:38.531 --> 00:01:41.534 your particular talents, that's not a problem.
 34
00:01:41.534 --> 00:01:46.339 Go figure out how to address their immediate problems and learn and grow.
 35
00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:50.076 If you can't find a community that you're a part of, really understand
 36
00:01:50.076 --> 00:01:53.079 what are the problems that exist within your neighborhood,
 37
00:01:53.146 --> 00:01:56.983 and then bring people together to address those problems.
 38
00:01:57.217 --> 00:01:59.752 Don't just sit there and vent.
 39
00:01:59.752 --> 00:02:04.491 it's really important to go out and do something about the problems that you see.
 40
00:02:04.591 --> 00:02:06.159 It's beyond voting.
 41
00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:09.195 It is every single day figuring out an opportunity
 42
00:02:09.195 --> 00:02:13.233 to do something inside of your community and to continue to grow your professional
 43
00:02:13.233 --> 00:02:17.036 skills, to then use those skills to do something inside of your community.
 

2024 TSOC Roadtrip
did-not-complete-college
entrepreneur

Find a local technology outlet. If you can't find a local outlet or a national program to participate with, I'd suggest working with your city council (or any other entity that you have access to within city government) and start networking. It'll take a while before you see change in government but it's important to stay connected. Think about your skills and how you can help tech nonprofits. If they can't leverage your particular talents, focus on how you can address their immediate needs.

Every day, I lead Beta NYC in using technology, data, and design to improve lives across New York City. My work involves bringing together diverse voices—technologists, community advocates, and policymakers—to create a government that’s accessible and centered on equity and opportunity. Whether we’re developing digital tools, offering training, or fostering collaboration, my focus is on empowering communities and ensuring technology serves everyone in this era of rapid change​.

Executive Director

Advice For Navigating A Technological World

What role do you think education plays
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00:00:02.635 --> 00:00:06.006 whenever it comes into social justice within your community?
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00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:09.943 Education is so important because you're going to find things out
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00:00:09.943 --> 00:00:13.013 about criminal justice that those who did not go and try to get
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00:00:13.013 --> 00:00:16.016 a degree in criminal justice aren't going to know.
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00:00:16.149 --> 00:00:18.551 And then they're going to try to be figuring out, well, when did that?
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00:00:18.551 --> 00:00:20.787 And you're going to know there's already a law for that.
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00:00:20.787 --> 00:00:23.023 Well, we need to do - No, there's already law for that.
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00:00:23.023 --> 00:00:24.824 And the reason why we do this, this and that,
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00:00:24.824 --> 00:00:28.228 is because of the criminal justice system is set up this way.
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00:00:28.395 --> 00:00:32.532 And so that's where the role of education has to come in.
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00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:36.903 The more we know, the better we are be able to move forward as a society
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00:00:37.070 --> 00:00:41.141 because we're not arguing about something that isn't true.
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00:00:41.441 --> 00:00:45.111 And so the more people that are educated, the more
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00:00:45.311 --> 00:00:48.181 it helps not be able to spread bad information.
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00:00:48.181 --> 00:00:52.786 The more educated people we have, the better usually certain
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00:00:53.019 --> 00:00:57.390 jobs are, people when they become supervisors and things like that.
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00:00:57.390 --> 00:00:59.926 It just helps them be well rounded.
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00:00:59.926 --> 00:01:03.296 And it gives them the information that they need to put them in a position
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00:01:03.296 --> 00:01:04.364 to be successful.
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00:01:04.364 --> 00:01:08.268 I always say preparation for communities meets opportunities,
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00:01:08.802 --> 00:01:13.306 and so when you prepare yourself with education and then that opportunity arise,
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00:01:13.406 --> 00:01:14.274 then guess what?
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00:01:14.274 --> 00:01:16.276 Now you get to take advantage of that opportunity.
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00:01:16.276 --> 00:01:18.545 And we need to be able to do that in our community.
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00:01:18.545 --> 00:01:19.946 And so that's one of the things
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00:01:19.946 --> 00:01:22.949 that we push really hard here at Lincoln University.
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00:01:22.982 --> 00:01:24.751 Preparation means opportunity.
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00:01:24.751 --> 00:01:27.587 You get that degree and you get that education.
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00:01:27.587 --> 00:01:29.389 You're able to apply to jobs.
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00:01:29.389 --> 00:01:32.225 Now that certain other people can just look at.
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00:01:32.225 --> 00:01:35.862 I can put all those things in place to make my community better
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00:01:36.362 --> 00:01:38.698 because I educated myself
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00:01:38.698 --> 00:01:41.701 and this opportunity came and I could take advantage of it.
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00:01:42.102 --> 00:01:45.038 And so people don't use education that way.
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00:01:45.038 --> 00:01:46.606 They don't understand that.
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00:01:46.606 --> 00:01:47.507 Yeah, you may have it.
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00:01:47.507 --> 00:01:49.375 You may not use it right now,
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00:01:49.375 --> 00:01:52.479 but it is for your community it's putting you in a position
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00:01:52.479 --> 00:01:55.482 to where when that opportunity comes, you can spring into action.
 

I struggled academically in both high school and college. I even failed out of college the first time. But I got back on track, went back to school, and made it through—all the way to earning my doctoral degree!

As the Chief of Police and Vice President of Campus Culture at Lincoln University, I juggle roles that shape campus safety and collaboration. My day spans overseeing police operations, managing residence halls, and directing the nation's only HBCU-based police academy. From ensuring a welcoming culture for visitors to pioneering hands-on law enforcement training, my work centers on rehumanizing policing and empowering students to step into impactful careers.

VP of Campus Culture & Chief of Police

Opportunities & Possibilities

The Importance Of Education In Criminal And Social Justice

I think the thing when it comes to like our safety,
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00:00:03.870 --> 00:00:07.307 a lot of it actually is grounded in community, right?
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00:00:07.340 --> 00:00:11.644 And being able to find like a support network of like neighbors, friends, family
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00:00:11.711 --> 00:00:12.645 to support each other
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00:00:12.645 --> 00:00:15.548 because ultimately, like, we're the ones who keep each other safe.
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00:00:15.548 --> 00:00:18.818 And so for me, when it comes to thinking about even like the college community,
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00:00:18.985 --> 00:00:22.655 like sure, I have colleagues, friends, there's plenty of like student
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00:00:22.655 --> 00:00:26.092 organizations that I think do a good job of trying to cultivate community.
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00:00:26.192 --> 00:00:30.830 But certainly even the campus community extends far beyond the specific borders
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00:00:30.830 --> 00:00:35.802 of the campus properties, Being able to like find people in the broader community
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00:00:36.036 --> 00:00:39.806 that maybe align more with you and where you come from
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00:00:39.806 --> 00:00:42.742 and understand your background and are, you know, more open minded.
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00:00:42.742 --> 00:00:44.811 I think that's something that has been really important.
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00:00:44.811 --> 00:00:45.979 Even when I was an undergrad
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00:00:45.979 --> 00:00:50.116 at my four year institution, I was in a very rural part of Maryland.
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00:00:50.183 --> 00:00:54.587 And I was still able to like, find places where I felt comfortable and
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00:00:54.587 --> 00:00:58.425 okay because I was able to go out into the community and like
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00:00:58.625 --> 00:01:01.928 go to the sort of downtown like Main Street area
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00:01:01.928 --> 00:01:04.030 and like go to the bookstore and get to know people.
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00:01:04.030 --> 00:01:08.134 So really, I think we can find community anywhere, but, you know,
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00:01:08.435 --> 00:01:12.772 not restricting ourselves to just thinking about like Asian-American student
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00:01:12.772 --> 00:01:14.874 organizations or like certain organizations
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00:01:14.874 --> 00:01:17.043 that look like this or that do certain programing
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00:01:17.043 --> 00:01:20.280 and really keeping our minds open to how we can build our own communities
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00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:23.683 is like something I still think about in terms of like,
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00:01:23.783 --> 00:01:26.719 yeah, how do I keep myself and people I care about safe?
 

2024 VOHE Roadtrip
first-in-family
advanced-degree

I recommend attending a community college first and then working as a political practitioner either before, during, or after earning a four-year bachelor's degree before attending graduate school.

I come from an Asian refugee family and often felt othered by my peers in the affluent conservative community I grew up in.

In my higher education journey, there's rarely been a time where I wasn't working at least two jobs while going to school. I love academia but I'm not always able to focus completely on it because I have to supplement myself through other work.

As a Ph.D. candidate, I study immigrant and refugee communities and issues of poverty and immigration enforcement. My family is Vietnamese, so I'm really interested in examining how welfare programs, policing, and immigration enforcement systems impact our community. As a teaching assistant, I run discussion sections, where I help students understand class material, answer any questions, and prepare for assignments. I also hold office hours and spend a lot of time grading.

Community

Advice For Engaging With Community

Advice For Engaging With Community

Andrea Ellis

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