ABBREVIATED BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Mitchell creates spaces, programs and initiatives to bolster students’ sense of belonging, development, and retention. In working with underrepresented or underserved populations he has identified factors that affect their success, persistence and retention in the university setting.
Mitch Mitchell, PhD. was born and raised in Washington, D.C., known as Chocolate City, during the height of the crack epidemic. During most of his childhood and into his adolescent years, D.C. was the murder capital of the United States. This tumultuous but formative time is when he gravitated to education, sports and developed a love of words. His mother taught English for over 35 years in the inner-city of Washington, D.C. and instilled in him the value and importance of an education.
While living in D.C. he navigated through two different worlds. Living between the duality of being book smart and street smart, he learned to traverse both cultures successfully. He remembers witnessing drug-dealers, and addicts, as well as the violence and crime surrounding them on his way to school. He witnessed loss of life at an early age having lost his first friend to violence at the age of 8. This trend of losing friends to violence continued long into his adult years, and as a result he sought sanctuary in school. School, for him, became a world of opportunity and safety.
These childhood experiences affected him deeply and college became his escape to a new world. He was fortunate to walk away from many potentially life changing situations which emboldened his motivation to change the world. His work with students, his work to create programs to benefit students, and his work to build movements for students is grounded in his upbringing in Washington D.C.
His passion for these elements guided him to a career in higher education and birthed a drive to help others see their infinite potential. It was growing up in D.C. that shaped his view of the world and understanding for others. Many students have to surmount myriad obstacles to enter the doors of higher education and it is essential they run into bridges and not walls. Dr. Mitchell, aka The Dream Supporter, is a proponent for students to dream, believe and succeed.
Dr. Mitchell, a Hope Dealer, pours hope, passion, and positivity into students. He encourages them to write their own story to defy the odds. Dr. Mitchell is driven to edify and develop students through enriching experiences that leave lasting marks upon their lives. Dr. Mitchell believes his true success is in supporting the success of others to achieve their dreams.
Dr. Mitchell’s passion lies in supporting, impacting and transforming the lives of students, particularly those who are underrepresented, underserved, and historically disenfranchised so they reach educational success. His practice supports his passion by empowering students, assessing their needs and life aspirations, and enhancing students’ collegiate experiences by developing programs and initiatives. These initiatives organically but strategically bridge the gap between their academic and co-curricular experiences.
