Name: DeMarcus Jenkins
Title: Assistant Professor of Education (Educational Leadership)
Department: Education Policy Studies
Phone: 814-863-5923
Email: dfj5248@psu.edu
Office address: 204B Rackley Building
Directory entry: https://ed.psu.edu/directory/dr-demarcus-jenkins
Jenkins comes to us from the University of Arizona College of Education, where he was an assistant professor of education policy studies and practice, and an affiliate in the Department of Geography. He earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles from the Division of Urban Schooling with a specialization in leadership and policy. His holds a master of education in English education from Georgia State University, a master’s degree from American University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where he doubled-majored in English and African American studies.
Jenkins is an activist and urban scholar whose work considers the intersections of race, space and policy. His research focuses on the influence of spatial, social and political factors that foster and exacerbate inequalities for Black populations as well as the approaches that policy makers and school leaders take to disrupt and transform these dynamics. His interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex and challenging problems of racial equity in schools is informed by Black critical theory, critical spatial theory, Black geographies, critical policy studies and justice-oriented leadership frameworks. Consistent throughout his research are practical solutions for school leaders and policymakers. His program of research draws from his previous professional experience working in urban public high schools, and in local and state policy and advocacy.
He recently received a research grant from the Spencer Foundation to examine education’s evolving relationship with carceral systems. Specifically, the multi-year project will explore how urban school systems respond to policy changes that remove school police from K-12 school campuses and the impact of these changes on Black youth.