Where diversity and inclusion are concerned, Marcus Stewart ’92, MBA ’95 has come full circle. As an undergraduate, he questioned race relations on campus. Today, as a Bentley professor, he researches and teaches leadership, teams, cross-cultural skill development and social justice.

“I was very blunt in leading political discourse on campus,” Stewart says of his undergraduate days. “Bentley turned around and provided the opportunity to return and pursue my MBA. The support I received was incredible.”

The associate professor of management gives particular credit to Earl Avery, special assistant to the president and university ombudsman. Avery helped coordinate jobs for Stewart in the offices of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Admission, so he could complete graduate study.

Their relationship had started years earlier, as Avery led diversity-related initiatives on campus and co-taught a diversity course that Stewart took in his senior year. Publishing several op-ed pieces in the Vanguard student newspaper established him as a thought leader on the issues, and he was invited to join a panel discussion to provide a minority perspective on the classroom experience and student life.

Stewart’s support system took root in athletics. Jay Lawson and Barbara Stevens, respective coaches of men’s and women’s basketball, as well as Director of Athletics Robert DeFelice, were go-to resources for the former Falcon shooting guard. Another stalwart is Duncan Spellman, who spoke in support of those op-ed pieces so many years ago and now chairs the Management Department.

“These are friends and mentors that I’ve had for the majority of my life,” says Stewart, who juggles academic responsibilities with marriage and fatherhood. “They’re a sounding board for making better, more thoughtful decisions.”