Darris R. Means, Ph.D.
Professor, Clemson University
Dr. Darris R. Means is a Professor of Educational Leadership and Dean’s Fellow for Rural Education at Clemson University. Darris has been on faculty at University of Pittsburgh and University of Georgia. Prior to becoming a faculty member, Darris served on a program team to create and implement a year-round, college access and success program, Elon University’s Elon Academy, for high school and college students with a financial need and/or no family history of college. Darris served as the Assistant Director and then Associate Director for the Elon Academy, working with students and their families on pathways to and through postsecondary education. During his time with the program, the college persistence rate was 95%.
Darris researches how economic, educational, and social conditions shape pathways to and through postsecondary education for first-generation college students, rural students, Black students, and/or students from low-income backgrounds. Darris’ research and scholarship have been published in several journals, including Journal of College Student Development, The Review of Higher Education, Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, and Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. Darris earned his Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis with a concentration in Higher Education from North Carolina State University, a M.Ed. in Counseling Education with a concentration in Student Affairs from Clemson University, and a B.A. in Sociology and Political Science from Elon University.
Speaker Travels From
South Carolina
Darris is available for in-person and virtual engagements! Contact us today.
Speaker Topics
| Improving Campus Culture for First-Generation College Students
This presentation focuses on how colleges and universities can take institutional-wide approaches to improve campus culture for first-generation college students. | Enhancing Advising and Mentoring for First-Generation College Students
Drawing on the presenter’s research, this presentation focuses on how to enhance advising and mentoring for first-generation college students. |
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| Improving College Access for First-Generation College Students
Drawing on the presenter’s previous experience as a college access program administrator, this presentation focuses on enhancing access for first-generation students. |
Books, News, & Media
Published Books
- Garvey, J. C., Harris, J. C., Means, D. R., Perez, R. J., & Porter, C. J. (Eds.) (2020). Case studies for student development theory: Advancing social justice and inclusion in higher education. Routledge.
Select Published Articles
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Means, D. R., Stanton, J., Mekonnen, B.*, Oni, O.*, Breeden, R.*, Babatola, O.*, Osondu, C.*, Beckham, M.*, & Marshall, B.* (2022). A deeper calling: The aspirations and persistence of Black undergraduate students in science at a predominantly white institution. The Review of Higher Education, 46(2), 151-180. Retrieved from: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/875059.
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Means, D. R., Hudson, T. D., & Tish, E.* (2019). A snapshot of college access and inequity: Using photography to illuminate the pathways to higher education for underserved youth. The High School Journal, 102(2), 139-158. Retrieved from: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/720596/summary
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Means, D. R., & Pyne, K. B. (2017). Finding my way: Perceptions of institutional support and belonging in low-income, first-generation, first-year college students. Journal of College Student Development, 58(6), 907-924. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/670090.
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Means, D. R., & Pyne, K. (2016). After access: Underrepresented students’ post-matriculation perceptions of college access capital. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory, and Practice, 17(4), 390-412. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1521025115579247.
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Pyne, K. B., & Means, D. R. (2013). Underrepresented and in/visible: A Hispanic first- generation student’s narratives of college. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 6(3), 186-198. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-29991-001.
News
- Pittwire (2021, September). Darris Means selected for Rockefeller Fellowship to study rural education.University of Pittsburgh.
- Downey, M. (2018, January). Opinion: Educators must help undocumented students feel safe, supported.The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Features Op-Ed Essay by Dr. Means)
- Downey, M. (2016, August). Black, rural and impoverished: Are colleges ignoring these students?The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Features Op-Ed Essay by Dr. Means)
More About The Speaker
View Darris R. Means' curriculum vitae here.
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