Marcus E. Cheeks is currently serving as the Executive Director of Federal Programs at the Mississippi Department of Education. Mr. Cheeks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tougaloo College, a Master of Science Degree from Jackson State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Mississippi.  Mr. Cheeks served as an Officer in the Mississippi Army National Guard for eleven years.  

Mr. Cheeks has an extensive background in working with high-risk/low-income youth and utilizing federal programs to address their academic and social needs.  Mr. Cheeks has served as an active member of the National Title I Association (NASTID) for nine years holding the office of Vice-President in 2014 and in February 2015, Mr. Cheeks began his one-year tenure as NASTID President.  Mr. Cheeks is also an ordained minister and has served for the past nine years as the Pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, MS.  There he oversees 175 members and 12 ministries.