Marlon I. Cummings, Ph.D.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Marlon I. Cummings, Ph.D. has spent the past 20 years, using his passion for community building, teaching and advocating for equity in education to support the development of leaders and the reform of organizations. Through his career roles, he has been able to grow in the field and fulfill what he feels is his responsibility to use his career to help others. Currently Dr. Cummings is a tenured associate professor of educational and organizational leadership at Governors State University and serves as the director of the Interdisciplinary Leadership Doctorate Program, a nationally recognized online doctorate program. He also currently serves as the President of Faculty Senate and a was member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education Strategic Planning committee for Illinois’ 10-year master plan for higher education. In 2020, he was a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Awardee. Additionally, through his consulting firm, DMIC Consulting, Inc., Dr. Cummings works with school districts, non-profits and other community-based organizations on implementing culturally responsive leadership practices and support the development of organizations that operate with increased effectiveness.

Dr. Cummings earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering from Florida A&M University, his Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Education Policy from American University in Washington D.C., and earned his Ph.D. in Policy Studies in Urban Education with an emphasis in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Illinois Chicago.