Kendall Deas

Dr. Kendall Deas is an Assistant Professor of Education Policy, Law, and Politics in the Department of African American Studies at the University of South Carolina. His work focuses on educational equity, policy reform, and social justice advocacy. He holds advanced degrees from institutions including the University of Georgia (Ph.D. in Education Policy), Georgia Tech (MSPP in Public Policy), and Georgetown University (BSFS in International Politics).

• Education Background: Ph.D. (University of Georgia), MSPP (Georgia Tech), MA (Political Science, Washington University), MA (Globalization Studies, Dartmouth), BSFS (Georgetown).

His research addresses PK-12 education reform, culturally relevant pedagogy (e.g., The Algebra Project), and policy-driven equity initiatives. He co-founded the Quality Education Project, earning the 2023 MLK Social Justice Award for advocacy in South Carolina’s public education system.

Dr. Deas has held prestigious fellowships, including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship and a Fulbright in Finland. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Education Law & Policy Review and has received grants totaling over $2.9 million for initiatives like civic engagement and voting rights education.

• Awards: MLK Social Justice Award, Sloan Fellowship, Fulbright Scholar, and College of Charleston’s Faculty Excellence Award.

His grants include a $2.4M U.S. Department of Education grant for historical/civic engagement and a $500K Mellon Foundation project on voting rights education. He also mentors through the Propel Research Mentorship Program and AI Scholar initiative at the University of South Carolina.