Dr. Mark S. Giles is Professor and Department Chair in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. His scholarship and teaching interests include 20th century African American history focusing on the complexities of racial dynamics and racism on Black communities, African American educational leadership (critical biographies) and Black student agency (K-12 and college/university levels), social justice-equity leadership in schools and colleges, African American spirituality, critical race studies, and qualitative methodologies.