Antoine Gates earns doctoral degree

Antoine Gates, an instructor, Phi Theta Kappa adviser and Faculty Association advisor at Holmes Community College, recently completed his PhD in science and math education from the University of Southern Mississippi after defending his dissertation, "Faculty Interactions with Black Male Students at HBCUs and Community Colleges as Predictors of Academic Achievement in STEM."

Participants from a community college and an HBCU in Mississippi were surveyed to identify whether significant differences existed in the interactions STEM faculty formed with black males between these institutions. Also, the goal of this study was to determine if aspects of faculty interactions with these males from each type of institution correlated with student achievement based on the students' self-reported STEM GPA.

Dr. Gates earned his Bachelor of Science in biology with minors in chemistry and French and later went on to earn his Master's Studies (MST) degree in science and math education with an emphasis in biology from Jackson State University. Dr. Gates has a wife, a 20-month-old toddler and a boxer dog. He and his wife met at their doctoral program at USM. Dr. Gates enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and music. Dr. Gates is also involved as a ministry leader at his church.                                                                                                                      
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