Explore My Work
From policy to practice, this is work that builds futures and challenges the status quo.
Awards
Forty Under 40—SUNY New Paltz Alumni recognition for achievements and community impact (2022)
Drum Major for Service Award—Corporation for National & Community Service (2012)
NCBI Leadership Award—National Coalition Building Institute (2010)
Executive Board Leadership
Board Member (2025–Present), Youth Leadership Henry
Board of Directors (2024–Present), Academy for Advanced Studies (Henry County School District, GA)
Executive Board Member (2013–2022), Tri-State Consortium for Opportunity Programs in Higher Education
Community Leadership
Mentor (2024-Present), Young Lions Rite-of-Passage Program, Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, Griffin, GA
Organizer (2018–2019), NYSED Alternative Education Steering Committee, Albany, NY
Co-Organizer (2010), Martin Luther King Jr. Ball: 2nd Annual Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser, The College of Saint Rose
Member (2009), Leadership Council on Inclusion, Albany, NY
Member (2009), African Consortium, University at Albany (SUNY), Albany, NY
Member (2009), City of Albany Youth Advisory Board, Albany, NY
Co-Organizer (2009), Presidential Inaugural Ball: 1st Annual Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser, The College of Saint Rose
Mentor (2002–2005), Scholar’s Mentorship Program, SUNY New Paltz
Publications
Publications below are clickable links.
Beyond College: Redefining Postsecondary Education for a New Economy (2025)
Author: Michael A. DeJesus III
Published on LinkedIn
Co-authored with Dr. Aimee Wyatt and the SREB Student Success Steering Committee
Southern Regional Education Board
How Colleges Can Engage in Inclusive Recruiting After the SCOTUS Ruling (2023)
Author: Michael A. DeJesus III
Published on LinkedIn
The Future of Athletics at HBCUs (2023)
Author: Michael A. DeJesus III
Southern Regional Education Board
Innovating the Business and Finance Model at HBCUs (2023)
Author: Michael A. DeJesus III
Southern Regional Education Board
Priorities for Raising College Student Success in the South (2022)
Co-authored with Megan Boren, Director of Educator Workforce
Southern Regional Education Board
Dissertation: How Well Does the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program Work for Black Men? A Mixed Methods Study (2022)
Author: Michael A. DeJesus III
Published in ScholarWorks at UMass Amherst
Presentations, Facilitation, and Training
Panelist: Managing Student Success Metrics During Unprecedented Times
Clark Atlanta University • 2024
Panelist: discussing outcomes-based student success strategies.
Master of Ceremonies: Student Success Summit
SREB • 2023
Led plenary sessions and introduced keynote speakers.
Facilitator: Statewide Strategies for Underrepresented Students
SREB Student Success Summit • 2023
Led workshop focused on improving outcomes for underrepresented learners.
Master of Ceremonies: Open Educational Resources Conference
SREB • 2023
Hosted an annual conference advancing OER and affordability.
Panelist: HBCU-MSI Course-Sharing Consortium
SHEEO Higher Education Policy Conference • 2022
Presented on institutional collaboration and shared course access.
Speaker: MBK After Graduation: Options to Consider
NYS My Brother’s Keeper Symposium • 2022
Spoke on postsecondary pathways for young men of color.
Facilitator: HEOP New Directors Training
NYSED (Virtual) • 2021
Co-led onboarding session for new program directors.
Facilitator & Trainer: HEOP Administrators Training Workshop
NYSED (Virtual) • 2020
Delivered training on compliance, reporting, and program design.
Panelist: College Readiness Conversation
Smyrne French-Speaking SDA Church • 2020
Shared insights on preparing students for postsecondary success.
Moderator: Race, Racism, and Activism in Education
ReachingHigher Ed (Virtual) • 2020
Led national discussion on systemic issues and action in education.
Facilitator & Trainer: HEOP Administrative Training Workshop
HEEOP-PO Conference, Syracuse, NY • 2018
Provided leadership training for college access professionals.
Trainer: MWBE Compliance Training for State Agencies
Empire State Development, Albany, NY • 2013
Led sessions on Article 15-A implementation and procurement strategy.
Presenter: A Transforming Economy: The Case of Ghana
National Council for Black Studies, San Diego, CA • 2007
Presented research on Ghana’s economic transition and development.