SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES One of his first teaching positions was at West Geor- gia College in Carrollton, GA, followed by a stint at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 1990, he joined Miami University, where he specialized in Race and Ethnic Studies and the Politics of Education. At Miami, Coates’ pursuit of excellence was instrumental in establishing and directing the Black Studies, Critical Race, and Ethnic Studies programs. His advocacy for Affirmative Action Policy and Critical Race Theory stemmed from his time at the University of Chicago, where he debated professors and confronted systemic academic barriers. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, 236 citations, and ranked as one of the top experts in his field, Coates reached the rare distinction of a fully tenured professor in 2015. A feat which only 15% of all university faculty ever obtain. Beyond teaching, Coates’ mentorship extends to stu- dent-athletes as well. When Miami’s head football coach sought his help in guiding Black players academically, he set high standards for his
Being a role model and investing his time helping students grow to their full potential is Brother Coates’ calling.
“COATES’ COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ACCESS LED TO THE CREATION OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MIAMI UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY OF CINCINNATI BEGINNING IN 2019. EACH YEAR, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO MIAMI UNIVERSITY. ”
mentees. He required that all student-athletes attend class, take notes, and main- tain high grades. One player who initially struggled went on to make the Dean’s List, demonstrating the potential of structured support and accountability.
Recognizing a broader need, Coates collaborated with Miami’s athletic department to develop an accelerated summer course for football players. Over twelve years, this program contributed to increased GPAs and graduation rates,
earning him the prestigious Mid-American Athletic Conference Professor of the Year award. The mentoring program helped change perceptions about Black male students on campus and their academic potential.
22 THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL 2025
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