Student Affairs and Higher Education

Demarcus A. Merritt

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Assistant Director, Staff Recruitment and Training & Inclusion Initiatives November 2019-Present Assistant Director for Residence Life January 2017-November 2019 University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) Greensboro, NC Advising and Supervising

• Supervise and professionally develop five full-time professional (Master’s level) Coordinators for Residence Life, three Graduate Assistant staff, and 40 Senior/Resident Assistants who provide support and resource for the 11 residential communities totaling over 2,500 bed spaces; which includes UNCG Graduate Student Housing.

• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with professional staff team to address goals established in yearly Professional Development Plans and assess needs of respective halls within the designated area. Recruitment, Training, & Retention

• Actively assist with the marketing, brand management, recruitment, training, selection, and evaluation of full time professional and graduate professional department staff.

• Serve as departmental contact and provide leadership in the coordination of recruitment and selection efforts at various recruitment conferences for Coordinator for Residence Life full-time professional and Assistant Coordinator for Residence Life full-time graduate professional staff vacancies.

• Provide leadership for the design, implementation, and assessment of year round competency-based curriculum for full-time professional and graduate professional staff development series. Administrative

• Serves on the Assistant Director Leadership on-call rotation responding to academic, student, personnel, and administrative crisis for an on campus population of nearly 6,000 residents and 29 buildings totaling over two million square feet.

• Provides financial stewardship for nearly $60,000 of departmental revenue with varying functionality.

• Serves as a member of the Residence Life Leadership Team to assist in the strategic decision-making and development for the direction of the Residence Life staff members and functional until responsibilities.

• Conduct Hearing Officer for students accused of violating University policies and procedures. o Utilize Maxient software for case management.

• Developed a UNCG Housing and Residence Life Diversity and Inclusion Assessment for an Institutional Interview with Auburn University and with Wake Forest University.

• Served as Externship/Site Supervisor for intern from North Carolina Central University (Fall 2018)

• Serve as departmental liaison with the UNCG Higher Education program Membership on Department/University Committees

• Provides Assistant Director level leadership to the following departmental committees: o Design, implement, and assess Flight Program Onboarding and Training of New Professional Staff o Assist with Campus Guests Professional Development Scheduling & Hosting

Coordinated on campus visits and professional staff training schedules for Elon University and Appalachian State University in Summer 2019 o Professional Staff Recruitment, Retention & Recognition Committee

Implemented department’s inaugural recruitment social at The Placement Exchange

Implemented department’s inaugural HRL Alumni Newsletter

Assist with leading the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of Assistant Director for Residence Life staff positions

o Social Justice Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Design, implement, and assess Breaking Barriers programmatic initiative D. Merritt, Resume, page 2

Provide departmental staff training

o Lead in hall Desk Assistant Operations

o Assisted with the Coordination & Assessment for 2019 House Calls Initiative (due to staff member transition); which fostered connection and engagement between nearly 2,300 first year students with faculty, staff, and University administration including UNCG Chancellor Frank Gilliam, Jr.

• Serve as the presenter for International Exchange Student Orientation

• Serve as HRL department liaison for campus partnerships o Partnership with the Office of Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Education for UNCG’s Beyond Academics Program

o Partnership with the Office of Intercultural Engagement

• Serve as a UNCG / HRL Glenwood Community Partner Liaison to initiate and sustain partnership events throughout the academic year

o Assisted in increasing university and departmental community partnerships from four events to 20 which yielded over 1,000 community participants from Fall 2017 to Spring 2018. o Work with University campus partners to recruit and host nearly 150 community youth and families at UNCG athletic events during Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Spring 2020)

• Division of Student Affairs Spartan Village Strategic Initiative Committee o Co-Chair for the Inaugural and Second Better Together Open Streets partnership between the City of Greensboro, Glenwood Community, and UNCG in March 2018 and April 2019.

• Chair, Division of Student Affairs Recognition Committee (UNCG) 2018 – 2019 o Helped to redesign and coordinate the 2019 Division of Student Affairs Family Festival (Annual End of Year Staff Recognition & Service Awards event) o Recruited and reviewed

• Chair, Division of Student Affairs Spartan Village Strategic Initiative Committee, 2019 – Present o Led initiatives such as recruiting Division staff to volunteer and engage in a teacher appreciation luncheon at Peck Elementary School as well co-leading a Winter coat donation drive to provide over 50 coats to Peck Elementary School youth

• Appointments / Invitations to Department Search Committees o Assistant Director of Intercultural Engagement Search Committee Invitation, January 2020 o Higher Education Department Assistant / Associate Faculty Search Committee, January 2020 o Dean of Students Office Assistant Dean of Students Search Committee, February 2019 Area Coordinator, Broward & Rawlings Area August 2015-January 2017 Area Coordinator, Broward, Rawlings & Yulee Community Halls September 2013-August 2015 University of Florida (UF) Gainesville, FL

Advising and Supervising

• Oversaw the management of the Broward and Rawlings Hall residential community, housing a residential population of nearly 1,100 students.

o Hired, trained, supervised and developed three Graduate Hall Directors and 26 Resident Assistants.

• Oversaw the management of Broward, Rawlings, Yulee, Mallory and Reid Halls; housing a residential population of nearly 1,600 students.

o Hired, trained, supervised and developed six Graduate Hall Directors and 40 Resident Assistants.

• Advised the InterResidence Hall Association (IRHA) o Directors of Programs and Initiatives

o Writing on the Wall Advisor

Administrative

• Served on the on-call duty rotation responding to emergency/crisis situations including the 24 undergraduate residential communities totaling over 6,000 students

• Separate appoint to provide emergency / crisis management for the Graduate Family Housing communities consisting of 2,200 community members.

• Recruited, selected, trained, supervised, and evaluation of student staff throughout the department.

• Developed a new Residential Programming Curriculum for the Broward & Rawlings residential community. D. Merritt, Resume, page 3

• Served as a Conduct Education Officer adjudicating cases and conducting developmental meetings.

• Assisted in the review of facility/community with a Strategic Initiatives Budget for East Campus Area of

$150,000.

Membership on Department/University Committees

• Member, Martin Luther King Jr. Steering Committee

• Member, Black Student Affairs Task Force

• Member, DOHRE Multicultural Student Award Selection Committee

• Member, DOHRE Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Workgroup

• Member, DOHRE Star Selection Committee

• Member, Dean of Student’s Office Student Conduct Committee

• Member, DOHRE Social Committee

• Member, UF-400 Owner’s Committee

• Member, Professional Staff Recruitment Committee

• Departmental liaison to UF Preview to help craft a one-of-a-kind residential visiting experience for over 7,000 students throughout the summer 2016.

• Served as department staff liaison with the Innovation Academy (Summer sessions, 2013 – 2015) Residence Hall Director, East Campus Village July 2011-September 2013 Assistant Area Coordinator, East Campus Village September 2010-July 2011 University of Georgia (UGA) Athens, GA

Advising and Supervising

• Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated, and developed 12 direct report Resident Assistants, 24 total community Resident Assistants and 25 Desk Assistants (who staff a 24-hour desk and three eight hour desks).

• Advised the East Campus Village’s fifteen-member Community Board o Provided oversight and management of their $30,000 annual programming budget

• Advised the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) Administrative

• Assisted in the overall community management for East Campus Village.

• Assisted in the coordination of programmatic efforts to address specific learning needs for the 1200+ residential population.

o Developed and implemented academic initiatives for first year experience programing

• Provided prompt response through personal contact to all constituents and stakeholders to resolve problems, answer questions and clarify policies and procedures.

• Served in the on-call duty rotation responding to emergencies/crisis situations of the Community; which included eight residence halls consisting of nearly 2,500 residents.

• Worked directly with area maintenance and housekeeping staff to maintain/improve facilities.

• Served as a Conduct Hearing Officer adjudicating University and/or Housing policy violation cases. Membership on Department/University Committees

• Member, Diversity Awareness at Georgia (DAWG) Days Committee

• Member, Georgia Daze Committee

• Member, National Housing Training Institute Transportation Committee

• Member, Annual Pro Staff and CA-RA Recognition Committee D. Merritt, Resume, page 4

Residence Hall Director, Storer Hall and Huntley Hall July 2008 – September 2010 Summer School Residence Hall Director, MacVicar Hall May 2010 – July 2010 Virginia Union University Richmond, VA

Advising and Supervising

• Oversaw the management of a residential facility housing 200 students. o Ensured programmatic alignment with University requirements of the CAPSL model; (Civic Engagement, Academic Involvement & Engagement, Personal Development, Spiritual, and Leadership)

• Advised the Residence Hall Council (managed budgetary, policy and programming oversight). Administrative

• Trained, supervised, and assessed departmental and community-specific paraprofessional staff.

• Assist and advise residents in matters related to crisis intervention, referral, programming, discipline, routine conflicts, personal development, and leadership opportunities

• Served in the on-call duty rotation with four Residence Hall Directors responding to emergencies/crisis situations for five residence halls with an on-campus population of over 700 residents.

• Facilitate meetings and mediate conflicts with students concerning university policies. Membership on Department/University Committees

• Member, Dining Advisory Committee

• Liaison to University Upward Bound Program

• Staff Stakeholder on the Healthy, Mind, & Spirit Focus Group TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of North Carolina Greensboro

• Instructor, HSS 198-12H: Honors Colloquium with the UNCG International Honors Program University of Florida

• Instructor, Student Development in a University Setting (Resident Assistant class)

• Instructor, First Year Florida (Broward First Year Experience)

• Co-Instructor, Choices in Leadership and Scholarship Program: Diverse Perspectives University of Georgia

• Instructor, ECHD 3010: Peer Helping Strategies (two credit hour course) PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS, KEYNOTES, & PUBLICATIONS Presentations & Keynotes

• Johnson, C., Merritt, D., Turner, T. (2020, February). Kindred: The Black & Brown Male Practitioner Development in Focus. Presenting at SEAHO Annual Conference, Louisville, KY

• Merritt, D. (2020, March). Three Words: Yes. You. Belong! Presenting at NASPA Undergraduate Student Conference, Austin, TX

• Merritt, D. (2019, September). Diversity Self-Care Check Up: You’re Not Alone. Presented at UNCG Careers in Students Affairs Conference. Greensboro, NC

• Merritt, D. (2019, June). The World of Supervision at the Regional Entry Level Institute. Columbia, SC

• Merritt, D. (2019, June). Selected as one of six Sprint Session Featured Speakers for ACUHO-I Annual Conference and Exposition. Toronto, Canada

D. Merritt, Resume, page 5

• Campbell, P., Merritt, D., Turner, T. (2019, February). Pit Crew Prep: The Black & Brown Male Practitioner Development Tune Up. Presenting at SEAHO Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL

• Jackson, C., Merritt, D. (2019, February). From Frustration to Elevation: Critical Strategies in Stepping Back Before Stepping Up in Career Advancement. Presenting at SEAHO Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL

• Merritt, D., Woods, C. (2019, March). Re-cultivating Campus to Community Partnerships: How One Program is Lightening the Way to Overcoming Implications of Gentrification. Presenting at NASPA Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA

• Merritt, D. (2019, March). Three Words: Yes. You. Belong! Presenting at NASPA Undergraduate Student Conference, Los Angeles, CA

• Merritt, D. (2019, February). The Black & Brown Male Detox Box for the Coast Carolina University Barbershop Series. Myrtle Beach, SC

• Moderator/Facilitator, ACUHO-I Professional Development Webinar: “The Parenting Professional of Color Panel: Exploring the Challenges and Celebrations of This Intersectional Identity” presented by the ACUHO-I Professionals of Color Network

• Merritt, D. (2017, Fall & 2018, Spring). The Art of Article to Top Notch Proposal, Shifting to Make the Move into Mid- Level Management, Social Justice Supervision 101, Completing the 4 A’s of Assessment and Staring into the Self-Care Mirror: Exercising the Difference Between Thriving versus Surviving. Webinars presented for the SEAHO Free Form Professional Development Series

• Merritt, D., Woods, C. (2018, February). Re-cultivating Campus to Community Partnerships: How One Program is Lightening the Way to Overcoming Implications of Gentrification. Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Biloxi, MS

• Merritt, D. (2017, August – December). Desserts with Diversity Doctor. Created and facilitated monthly, multi- programmatic diversity education series on social justice, diversity, inclusion, and advocacy.

• Merritt, D. (2017, November). Living a Lego-cy of Leading Justly: Engaging the Cultivation of Intercultural Competent Communities. University of North Carolina Greensboro Returning Resident Advisor Continuing Development Workshop

• Panelist, (2017, October). North Carolina State University’s Black Male Initiative Leadership Panel

• Merritt, D., Solomon, G. (2017, February). Diversity Self-Care Check Up: You’re Not Alone. Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Chattanooga, TN (Named SEAHO’s 2017 Best of Program (of 77 presentations)

• Gaddy, A., Merritt, D. (2017, February). So You Want to Be an Ally? Selected as Live Stream Session and presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Chattanooga, TN

• Merritt, D., Solomon, G. (2017, June). Diversity Self-Care Check Up: You’re Not Alone. Presented at ACUHO-I Annual Composition & Exposition Annual Conference, Providence, RI o Represented the SEAHO Region as Best of Program

• Merritt, D. (2017, January). Slice of Diversity: Defining & Distinguishing Diversity versus Inclusion While Reaching Beyond Our Bias. Presented at University of North Carolina Greensboro Resident Assistant Training, Greensboro, NC

• Jordan, P., Merritt, D. (2016, July). The Basics of Social Justice & Campus Resources. Presented at University of Florida Graduate, Resident Assistant, and Student Leadership Staff Training, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2016, May). The Importance of Reflection. Presented at the University of Florida End of Year Professional Staff Workshop, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2016, May). Opportunity versus Obstacles: Escaping Your Excuses. Presented at 31st National Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Conference, Jacksonville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2016, March). Mistaken Identity, and On the Outside Looking In. Presented at the University of Florida Warrington Business School’s Human Library Event, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2016, February). Multicultural Monopoly. Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC

• Merritt, D. (2016, February). White Supervisor, Black Supervisee: Yes, Race Matters! Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC

• Merritt, D., Tryman, N. (2016, February). Tiger, Snow Plow, and Helicopter Parents: managing the other Constituency! Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC

• Conference Keynote (2016, February). Leaving Your Legacy: You Are the Dream! Guest Speaker for P.K. Yonge Development Research School Black History Program, Gainesville, FL

• Conference Keynote (2016, November) Unmasking Black Identity. University of Florida Institute of Black Culture’s 14th Annual James E. Scott Black Student Leadership Conference, Gainesville, FL D. Merritt, Resume, page 6

• Merritt, D. (2015, November). I Just Want to Be Free. Poster Presentation at University of Florida Counseling and Wellness / ASPIRE’s Social Justice Summit, Gainesville, FL

• Conference Keynote (2016, November) Unmasking Black Identity. University of Florida Institute of Black Culture’s 14th Annual James E. Scott Black Student Leadership Conference, Gainesville, FL

• Conference Keynote (2016, April) Individually Together: Initiating the Igniting of a Greater Global C.A.R.E for the Gator Global Initiative Conference: Creating Minds Igniting Social Change at the University of Florida

• Guest Facilitator (2015, April). University of Florida Lead Student Development Retreat

• Guest Facilitator. (2015, January). University of Florida Male’s Acquiring Leadership Experience Initiative with the University of Florida Dean of Students Office

• Guest Facilitator. (2014, October) University of Florida Gator Well’s Yes Means Yes Health Education Sexuality Seminar Initiative

• Lead Facilitator, DOHRE Student Leadership Education & Development’s series of Creating a Culture of Care.

• Jordan, P., Merritt, D. (October 2016). Social Justice in the Workplace University of Florida Department of Housing

& Residence Education’s Human Resource Learning & Development Courses, Gainesville, FL

• Guest Panelist. (2015, March). Children of the Incarcerated: Collateral Victims of Crime. University of Florida Levin College of Law 12th Annual Center for the Study of Race & Relations’ Spring Lecture, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2015, March). Opportunity versus Obstacles: Escaping Your Excuses. Presented at the Santé Fe College Art of Leadership Conference, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2015, February). Opportunity versus Obstacles: Escaping Your Excuses. Presented at University of Florida’s Institute of Black Culture’s Black Student Leadership Conference, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2015, January). Programming with a Purpose. Presented at the University of Florida’s Department of Housing & Residence Education’s Undergraduate Staff Spring Training, Gainesville, FL

• Merritt, D. (2013, February). To Apply or Not Apply… To Stay or Go? Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA

• Merritt, D. (2012, October). “I Know My Strengths…So Now What?” Presented at Georgia Housing Officer’s State Conference, Kennesaw,

• Event Keynote (2012). UGA’s Multicultural Services and Program’s Athens Scholar Closing Banquet

• Merritt, D. (2011, February). RELIve The Experience: Exploring SEAHO’s Premier Entry Level Institute. Presented at SEAHO Annual Conference, Mobile, AL

• Merritt, D. (2011, October). Balance & Boundaries. Presented at Georgia Housing Officer’s State Conference, Kennesaw, GA

Publications

• Jordan, M., Merritt, D., (2021). Revamping Resident Advisor Recruitment with a Critical Lens on Inclusivity. The Journal of College and University Student Housing special issue.

• Gaddy, A., Merritt, D. (2018). DEI Hosts Brave Space Post Charlottesville. SEAHO Report, Winter, 27 – 28 o Publication Link: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.seaho.org/resource/resmgr/Seaho_winter_2018.pdf

• Casey, T., Gaddy, A., Green, B., Merritt, D., Shreve, J. (2018). DEI Partners with Program Committee to Host Conference Affinity Spaces. SEAHO Report, Spring, 13 – 15. o Publication Link:

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.seaho.org/resource/resmgr/seahoreport/seaho_2018spring.pdf

• Merritt, D. (2018). Unpacking our Student Affairs Suitcase: Re-examining the Relationship Between Racial Justice

& Residence Life. SEAHO Report, Winter, 43 – 47.

o Publication Link: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.seaho.org/resource/resmgr/Seaho_winter_2018.pdf

• Gillespie, M., Gregory, C., Merritt, D., Wald, S. (2018). Rethinking Resident Advisor Alternates. SEAHO Report, Winter, 37 – 40.

o Publication Link: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.seaho.org/resource/resmgr/Seaho_winter_2018.pdf

• Gillespie, M., Gregory, C., Merritt, D., Wald, S. (2018). Your Plan B for Advisor Alternates: Rethinking Resident Advisor Alternates. Talking Stick, 35 (3), 24 – 27. o Publication Link: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acuho/talkingstick_20180102/index.php#/26

• Merritt, D. (2017). Diversity is NOT Inclusion. SEAHO Report, Summer, 15 – 17. o Publication Link:

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.seaho.org/resource/resmgr/seahoreport/Seaho_Summer_2017.pdf D. Merritt, Resume, page 7

• Merritt, D. (2017). Rescued by RELI: How Intentional Mentorship Provided a Second Chance Career. SEAHO Report, Summer, 32 – 33.

• Merritt, D. (2017). Rescued by RELI. ACUHO-I Website. o Publication Link: https://www.acuho-i.org/network/cid/6349?portalid=0

• Merritt, D. (2017). Take a Summer Selfie. SEAHO Report, Summer, 12 – 15. o Publication Link: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/seaho/2016summer/#/12

• Merritt, D., Solomon, G. (2016). Diversity Self-Care Health Check-Up: You’re Not Alone! SEAHO Report. Summer, 19 – 22

o Publication Link: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/seaho/2016summer/#/18

• Merritt, D. (2016). UF Housing Remembers His Dream, While Reaching to be the Dream. UF Center of Leadership & Service Guest Blog Post

o Publication Link:

http://www.leadershipandservice.ufl.edu/blog/article/guest_blog_post_uf_housing_remembers_his_d ream_while_reaching_to_be_the_dre

• Jordan, M., Merritt, D. (2016). Sustainable Strides with VRF HVAC Strategy. ACUHO-I Connection Newsletter, 6(2) o Publication Link: http://www.acuho-i.org/Portals/0/doc/sustainability-scene-201606.pdf

• Merritt, D. (2013). System Check: What’s the Status of Your Motivation’s Motor? Living the Mission, University of Georgia University Housing.

• Authored the “Fireside for Dummies – Audio Visual” twenty-six-page manual utilized by Teaching Assistants of National Housing Training Institute (2012).

• Authored the seventy-page Transportation Committee Information Manual utilized at the National Housing Training Institute (2011-2012).

PROFESSIONAL / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & ACHIEVEMENT

• Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO-I) o Selected as STARS College Faculty Member (2020 – 2022)

• Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO-I) o STARS College Social Media Work Group (2020 – 2021)

• Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO-I) o Appointed Co-Chair Elect, Professionals of Color (2020 – 2021)

• Weekly volunteerism with Mount Zion Baptist youth van shuttle transportation (2018 – Present)

• Recipient of the 2019 SEAHO Report Article of the Year for “Unpacking our Student Affairs Suitcase: Re- examining the Relationship Between Racial Justice & Residence Life” o Award presented out of over 50 article submissions to the SEAHO Report for (2018 – 2019)

• Recipient of the 2019 Division of Student Affairs Inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Award

• Recipient of the 2019 UNCG Social Media Star Award

• Named one of sixteen Spring 2018 Trojan Men of Distinction published in the Virginia State University Alumni Magazine

• Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO-I) o Co-Chair, Professionals of Color Network’s Program Planning & Development Subcommittee (July 2017)

Assisted in development of professional development webinars

Assisted in recruitment and review of professional staff human interest blogs o Member, Sustainable Facilities Committee (June 2016)

• Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) o Selected as 2019 SEAHO Regional Entry Level Institute Faculty o SEAHO Host Committee Member Appointment

Responsible for creation, management, and assessment of Guidebook for 2019 SEAHO Annual Conference

Responsible for creation, management, and assessment of Guidebook for 2020 SEAHO Annual Conference

o Chair, Free Form Webinar Series Subcommittee for the SEAHO Program Committee D. Merritt, Resume, page 8

Created presentation content and presented, scheduled presenters, formatted/edited webinar video content and developed platform marketing strategy for scheduled professional development webinars (August 2017 – June 2018)

o Assisted in the development and execution of the inaugural Affinity Space Breakout Sessions (Persons of Color, Interfaith, Ally, and LGBTQIAA+), 2018 SEAHO Regional Conference o Recipient, SEAHO PEACE (Providing Educational Advocacy for Cultural Excellence) Award (March 2018)

o Member, Program Committee; Member, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (2013-Present); Co-Chair, Research and Scholarship Subcommittee (June 2017)

o Selected participant of SEAHO Seventh Annual Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI) (April 2010) o Program Reviewer, SEAHO Conference Program Committee (2011 – Present) o Member, Web Site Task Force (2011 – 2012)

• North Carolina Housing Officers (NCHO)

o Co-Chair, Vendor Committee (October 2018)

Coordinator for Vendor Fair, Vendor Fair Assessment, and Vendor Committee Transition Report

Secured 15 vendors and over $8,000 in corporate sponsorship. o Program Reviewer, North Carolina College Personnel Association & North Carolina Housing Officers, State Conference (October 2017)

• Staff Chaperone, UNCG Office of Intercultural Engagement’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage for Fall Break Alternative service trips (2018 & 2019)

• Volunteer of the Month, City of Greensboro – Parks and Recreation Department (April 2018)

• Recipient, UF Department of Housing & Residence Education’s Administrative / Managerial Employee of the Year for (September 2016)

• Appointed to the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity Leadership Education Committee (August 2016)

• Recipient, UF Division of Student Affairs’ Successful Collaborative Efforts Award (August 2016)

• Recipient, UF Division of Student Affairs’ James E. Scott Professional Development Fellowship (August 2016)

• Chair, Committee Service and Outreach Development, Gainesville (FL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (July 2016)

• Served as event host for Pace Center for Girls (Alachua) Second Annual “Girls Rock Rally” (March 2016)

• Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated; specifically, with Gainesville (FL)Alumni Chapter

• Honorary Member, James C. Grimm Chapter of the UF National Residence Hall Honorary (April 2015)

• NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program Mentor (January 2015)

• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Student Affairs Administrators in High Education Member (January 2015)

• Participant, University of Georgia National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) (March 2013)

• Selected to serve as Advisor for upcoming Black Male Leadership Society (UGA Chapter - 2013)

• Georgia Housing Officers’ (GHO) Program Review Committee (2012 – 2013)

• Selected LeaderShape Facilitator of UGA’s The LeaderShape® Institute (May 2012)

• Event Keynote (2012). UGA’s Multicultural Services and Program’s Athens Scholar Closing Banquet

• Recipient, Georgia Housing Officers’ (GHO) Vickie Hawkins Outstanding New Professional Award (2011)

• Participant, 28th annual Social Justice Training Institute (SJTI) Conference (December 2012)

• Inducted as an Honorary Member, Alpha Chapter of the UGA National Residence Hall Honorary (April 2011)

• Participated of the SEAHO Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI) (2010)

• Co-Founder & Executive Director of Men About Positive Purpose Organization, LLC

• Board of Advisors for Petersburg Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (2009-2010) EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of North Carolina Greensboro Greensboro, NC D. Merritt, Resume, page 9

Ph.D., Educational Studies, (Higher Education) Expected May 2025 Virginia State University Petersburg, VA

M.S., Sports Management-Concentration Awarded May 2007 B.S., K-12 Health; Physical Education; Minor: Sports Marketing Award May 2005

Contact this candidate