Some scholars love to pick one subject and focus on it for years, even decades. Not Dr. Marcus Meade. He finds joy jumping from subject to subject, drawing connections and letting each project inform the next.
“I remember a professor telling me once that I didn’t fit neatly into academia,” Dr. Meade said. “I was too eager to try things and not eager enough to stick with them.”
Dr. Meade joined the UMKC Honors Program faculty in the spring of 2025 after three years as UMKC’s Graduate Writing Specialist in the School of Graduate Studies. Previously, he held a position in the Writing and Rhetoric Program at the University of Virginia. He earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2017 with a focus in Composition and Rhetoric.
But Dr. Meade isn’t exactly new to Kansas City. He grew up here. He split his formative years between here and Maryville, Missouri—the home of Northwest Missouri State University.
His deep Kansas City roots fostered a love for all things KC, including the Kansas City Royals. Dr. Meade is heavily involved in the Royals media landscape, hosting a weekly Royals podcast, aptly named Royals Weekly alongside his twin brother Mike.
“When I was going through undergrad, I wanted to be a sports writer. My bachelor’s degree is in journalism,” Dr. Meade said. “I’ve never been able to let go of my love for sports analysis and commentary. With the podcast, I’ve sort of found the perfect avenue for that because I can do it on my own terms.”
Dr. Meade is excited to continue his support for Honors students in the classroom and as the new faculty advisor for Lucerna. He hopes to foster the same sense of wonder and curiosity that has sparked so many of his most important learning experiences.