DAVONTI’ D. HAYNES, MSW, PhD

 
 

A Detroit native, DaVonti’ is the founder and Executive Director of Faces of Access.

Biography:
As founder and executive director, DaVonti' is responsible for the administration and strategic planning for the organization.

During his undergraduate studies, he quickly realized the severe educational inequalities marginalized Americans are faced with and with the hope of addressing this issue in Ohio, he developed and implemented numerous outreach and access programs at The Ohio State University. Thus in 2017, he set out to expand that outreach on a national scale and formed the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Faces of Access. He has been instrumental in connecting students, staff, faculty, parents and researchers in innovative collaborations across country.

As an educator and practitioner, DaVonti’ is on a pursuit of educational and opportunity justice for all. Thus, his research focuses on leveling the playing field for all youth by investigating and examining college access and workforce development -- with a specific focus on urban and rural populations. As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Haynes has a passion for creating sustainable youth and community development programs and policies. While primarily focusing on youth development, Dr. Haynes also has an interest and research experience with developing best-practices for student success and development, successful postsecondary transition mechanisms, mentoring initiatives, and community engagement/development across the lifespan. He asks the question, "how can institutions of higher education effectively, equitably, and efficiently support (and enable) urban and rural youth to achieve their full potential?"

His passion for advancing youth and community opportunities has led to DaVonti' serving on numerous institutional and external committees and boards and earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award, Marian Wright Edelman Award, Undergraduate Student Award for Excellence in Community Service, Columbus City Schools' Spirit of Success and Excellence Award, Outstanding Graduate/Professional Student Award, and Outstanding Senior Award, among many others.

DaVonti' earned a bachelor's degree in public affairs with a specialization in education policy and a minor in political science, a master of social work (MSW) with a specialization in children and youth services and a master of science (MS) in agricultural communication, education, and leadership with an emphasis in community and extension education, and a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in agricultural communication, education, and leadership with a specialization in educational administration and an interdisciplinary minor in public policy and management from The Ohio State University.

As a first-generation, first-in-his-family college graduate, DaVonti' is a proud public school graduate and supporter and thus is committed to the success of students from urban and rural communities and has dedicated his time to enhancing their student experience.

 
 

Educational History

BA, The Ohio State University
MSW, The Ohio State University
MS, The Ohio State University
PhD, The Ohio State University