Nameka Bates

Nameka Bates is the managing director of college access at Chicago Scholars. Nameka has also served as past president of the NBGSA and as an instructor and teaching assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bates has taught kinesiology, African American studies, and life skills at the university level and has been a teaching assistant for infant to adulthood motor development and sport and modern society. In addition to their work in academia, Bates has also been actively involved in community initiatives focused on increasing college access for underrepresented populations.

Nameka Bates earned a Ph.D. in Sport Sociology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Arts in Sport Management from the same school, and a B.S. in Sports Management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

They work with Khadeejah Lasuc-Lewis - Vice President of Talent, Learning, Equity, & Inclusion, Alicia Ferraris - Managing Director of College Success, and Rachael Carbone - Vice President of Development & External Engagement. Nameka Bates reports to Jeffery Beckham Jr., CEO.