SPAA Graduate Profile: Marquis Howard (MPA'25)

Name: Marquis Howard
Hometown: Roselle, NJ
SPAA MPA Grad Month/Year: May 2025
Current Roles: Co-Director and Co-Founder, The Difference Makers Network (Reentry Program) Organizer, B.U.I.L.D. (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development)

Why did you enroll at SPAA?
With an undergraduate degree in Justice Studies, I was driven to pursue an MPA to make a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector. My goal is to advance social justice and develop leaders who are committed to this work.

What do you hope to accomplish with your degree?
My goal is to strengthen and expand the work of my reentry organization, The Difference Makers Network, by advancing a holistic and purpose-driven approach to reentry. Central to this is the development and implementation of the Accountable Transcendence Reentry (A.T.R.) framework – a model designed to cultivate accountability and leadership among those with lived experience. Through this work, I aim to create lasting social justice change and transform outcomes for justice-impacted individuals.

Favorite SPAA memory and/or most meaningful experience at SPAA?
The most meaningful part of my SPAA journey was writing my capstone. Putting my theory and vision on paper was both powerful and fulfilling – it gave me a deep sense of pride and purpose.

Biggest Challenge?
Balancing full-time work while taking three or more courses each semester was a major challenge, but one that helped me grow personally and professionally.

Next Steps?
I plan to focus on scaling my organization and advancing the Accountability Transcendence Reentry (A.T.R.) theory as a proof of concept. Once that is solidified, I intend to pursue a PhD.

Advice to incoming students?
Don’t quit. No matter how hard it gets, keep going – it’s all worth it in the end.