Biography
Marcus A. Coleman, Ph.D. is Director of the Strategy, Leadership, and Analytics (SLAM) Program and Professor of Practice at Tulane University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Economics. He also holds the Riggio Professorship in Social Entrepreneurship in the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking.
An experienced educator and interdisciplinary scholar, Coleman’s work bridges leadership, strategy, food systems, and community engagement. His teaching and scholarship focus on preparing students to address complex social and organizational challenges through ethical leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-sector collaboration.
Raised in Louisiana’s rural Mississippi River Delta region, Coleman developed an early awareness of the inequities that shape food systems and the barriers many communities face in accessing affordable, nutritious food. These experiences continue to inform his commitment to advancing equitable and sustainable food systems through leadership development, community-engaged learning, and collaborative partnerships that drive positive economic, social, environmental, and civic impact.
Coleman earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Southern University and A&M College, a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Agriculture and Extension Education from Louisiana State University.