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Marcus Johnson

@academicwave

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Professor at Texas A&M University 👨🏾‍🏫 <-TXST 🐱 <- UT Austin 🐂 & TCU grad 🐸| Houston born & raised 🤘🏾| Author of "B through Y"|

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What began years ago with AcademicWave and the belief that “Smart is the New Cool” has grown into the Next Generation Scholars Academy at Texas A&M University. 🎓✨

Leading this experience over the past two weeks has been one of the most rewarding moments of my career. Watching our student-scholars explore, conduct research, discover their family histories, navigate the university environment, and confidently present their work reminded me exactly why this vision matters. 📚🔍🎤

I am deeply grateful to our incredible staff, student-scholars, parents and families, and community partners who believed in this experience and helped bring it to life. This was truly a collective effort—and only the beginning. Dr. Daniel Thomas and I, through the TRACE Lab for Global Citizenship, are building something special.

More images, videos, and reflections from this unforgettable journey are coming soon! 📸🎥🌟

#NextGenerationScholarsAcademy #TRACELab #TAMU #CivicLeaders #FamilyHistory taken in Texas A&M University by @academicwave

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2 months ago

🏆🤝🏾Looking back on an incredible Sports Leadership for Community Impact Conference this past April, organized and led by my colleague, co-founder, and co-director of TRACE Lab for Global Citizenship, @dr_trey.21 .The conference committee was absolutely incredible as well with the work put forth.

It was an honor to gather alongside educational, professional, and youth-sports leaders who are making a meaningful difference in their communities. 🌟🏀📚

We cannot take for granted the brilliance, passion, and commitment that exists among us. The impact being made today is helping shape stronger communities and brighter futures for tomorrow. 💡🌍✨

#TRACELab #SLCI2026 #DifferenceMakers taken in Texas A&M University - Kyle Field by @academicwave

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4 months ago

Had the opportunity to visit my “little” cousin @matthewthomas.16 during his time at Cal-Berkeley and see him compete earlier this year with Cal State University, Northridge (CSUN). What an incredible season he put together! 🙌🏾

The hard work, dedication, perseverance, and countless hours in the cage continue to pay off. It’s been a blessing watching his journey and growth both on and off the field. 📈💪🏾He and his brother AJ definitely make their parents Milton & Stephanie Thomas proud and continue to carry the legacy of Uncle Brother and Aunt Geneva with pride.

Keep chasing greatness, Matthew! The best is still ahead. Your family in Houston has your back 💯⚾️🔥🏆

#CSUNBaseball #BaseballLife #StudentAthlete #ProudCousin #KeepGrinding NextLevel by @academicwave

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4 months ago

The Next Generation Scholars Academy at Texas A&M University is intentionally designed to align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards while helping students become researchers, critical thinkers, communicators, and future leaders.

Through hands-on learning experiences, students will:
📚 Use primary sources to investigate questions
⭐ Connect historical events and issues to the present day
📝 Analyze perspectives and author intent
🎤 Present ideas with clarity, confidence, and organization
🔍 Develop and present an original research project

This isn’t just summer enrichment. It’s an opportunity for students to strengthen academic skills while exploring family, community, and Texas history in meaningful ways.

Grades 6–8
Texas A&M University
Limited seats available

Learn more & apply:
u.tamu.edu/NextGen2026

#NextGenerationScholarsAcademy #TRACELab #TEKS #SocialStudies #EnglishLanguageArts taken in Texas A&M University by @academicwave

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4 months ago

This summer, middle school students in the TRACE Next Generation Scholars Academy at Texas A&M University will spend one of its days visiting the LBJ Presidential Library & Museum in Austin, TX to analyze historical documents, explore civic leadership, and engage with the power of storytelling and research.

Students won’t just learn history — they will learn how to think with reason, lead purposefully, and see themselves as future scholars.

Limited seats are available for this selective summer academy and spots are already filling.

If you know a 6th–8th grade student who would benefit from this opportunity, encourage them to apply today.

Learn more & apply: u.tamu.edu/NextGen2026

#NextGenerationScholarsAcademy #TexasAM #CollegeReadiness #MiddleSchoolStudents #TRACELab taken in Texas A&M University by @academicwave

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4 months ago

✨ Some students don’t just need another summer — they need an opportunity that impacts how they see themselves, families, communities, and their future. ✨

📚 We are looking for curious, creative, and academically driven middle school students in the Bryan–College Station area who are eager to explore history, research, leadership, and the possibilities of college life through a unique summer experience at Texas A&M University.

🎓 Applications are now open for the Next Generation Scholars Academy at Texas A&M University!

This selective two-week summer experience will guide students through college-level research, family and community history exploration, leadership development, and hands-on learning with Texas A&M faculty and staff. Students will also visit the LBJ Presidential Library and George H.W. Bush Presidential Library while developing and presenting their own original research project.

⚡ Only 20 seats are available.

If you know a middle school student who would benefit from this opportunity, encourage them to apply today.

🔗 Learn more & apply: u.tamu.edu/NextGen2026

#NextGenerationScholarsAcademy #TexasAM #BryanCollegeStation #MiddleSchoolStudents #TRACELab taken in Texas A&M University by @academicwave

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4 months ago

Great time with family celebrating my cousin Azirah’s Prom Sendoff 🔥🎉🎊 by @academicwave

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4 months ago

Good vibes only! 🎭✨ Big love to my guy Tyrone Jimmison for the Mardi Gras invite—nothing like great people, great energy, and unforgettable moments! 🙌🏾 Me and Dr. Daniel Thomas had an amazing time! 🔥 Appreciate you, fam! 🤝🏾🎉 by @academicwave

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5 months ago

Before camera phones, if you wanted proof you were outside during my #TCU undergrad years…you had to pull up to Flash Photography on University Dr.😂📸

Me and my guy at a Tone Loc & 2 Live Crew concert…because if you didn’t get the pic, did you even go?! 😎🎶 #FlashbackFriday #flashphotography by @academicwave

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5 months ago

From the club lights to the conference stage 🤝🏾🔥
2010 ➡️ 2026 I appreciate my guy and fellow TCU HornedFrog 🐸 @the_marcussloan presenting at our Sports Leadership for Community Impact Conference this past weekend 🎤🏀. Described the creation of #Shoot2ScoreHoops and #OTRExposure and the purpose of creating greater opportunities for youth to excel. #TRACELab #SportsLeadership #CommunityImpact taken in Texas A&M University by @academicwave

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5 months ago

“I am the Textbook.”

It is clear: the knowledge we often search for in books is already living in the people around us. Their experiences, their stories, their insights… are curriculum.

That line stayed with me and ultimately became the title of my recent publication: “I am the Textbook”: Using Family History Interviews to Enhance Social Studies Education. Published in the Journal of Social Studies Research.

This work is about rethinking where knowledge lives and who we recognize as its authors!

I had the opportunity to bring this full circle by presenting it at Wheatley High School, where my uncle, Charles Thomas, graduated from and now teaches to honor him in front of his colleagues as both an educator and a living text. #Wheatley #TennesseeState #NFL #WinnFamily #ThomasFamily taken in Phillis Wheatley High School by @academicwave

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5 months ago

Grateful to have shared ideas at the Brazos Valley Texas Play & Development Conference hosted by Texas Association for the Education of Young Children at Blinn College.📝🏫

Honored to engage with educators committed to play, purpose, and powerful learning for our youngest scholars 🎓✨📚 taken in Blinn College - Bryan Campus by @academicwave

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5 months ago