I Am Marques R. Dexter

Marques R. Dexter serves as the assistant director of student initiatives within the Office of Institutional Diversity. Under this role, Dexter leads the office in the creation of programmatic and institutional efforts that focus on academic success, achievement, and engagement of students who hold identities within historically underrepresented and marginalized populations. Additionally, Dexter is the assistant director of the Georgia African American Male Experience (GAAME) program, a University System of Georgia African American Male Initiative funded program. Cumulatively, Dexter operates as a liaison between the Office of Institutional Diversity, campus, and community partners, contributing his expertise through developing training, presentations, publications, and reports.

Dexter's research centers around the experiences of academically & athletically high-achieving Black male athletes. Utilizing visual qualitative research methods, he seeks to gain a greater understanding of the ways in which Black male athletes' academic, athletic, and racial identities are impacted by their lived experiences, affecting their sense of self. Through this research, Dexter seeks to highlight the heterogeneity existing among Black males, dismantling the deficit-based homogenous views plaguing their development. Ultimately, through his scholarship Dexter plans to create a Scholar-Athlete Identity Model to guide efforts in facilitating the holistic development of Black males, thereby positioning them to better obtain their desired life outcomes.

Currently, Dexter is a sport management & policy doctoral candidate in the department of kinesiology at the University of Georgia's Mary Frances Early College of Education. Hailing from Philadelphia, PA., Dexter received his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in sport management from Robert Morris University (PA). Later, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a master’s degree in kinesiology, specializing in sport management & policy.

Before embarking on his doctoral journey, Dexter spent six years as an assistant track & field/cross country coach and recruiting coordinator, instructor & academic advisor in physical education, and an adjunct instructor in sport management at SUNY Cortland.

Additionally, he was a volunteer coach, recruiting, and program coordinator for the track & field/cross country programs at UGA while completing his master's degree. Known for consistently producing national-level jumpers, Dexter was recognized by his peers as the recipient of the 2013 & 2014 USTFCCCA NCAA DIII Atlantic Region Men's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year.

Dexter's numerous leadership and organizational involvements personify his commitment to serving others. Most importantly, Dexter is passionate about utilizing both his privileged and marginalized identities to tackle issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as operationalizing as a co-conspirator in the fight for social justice and the cultivation of a beloved community.