James Sanders
James Sanders III
Communications Instructor| Roseman University of Health Sciences
Wielding expertise in communications, James Sanders III has excelled as an educator and motivational speaker for more than 25 years. Since 2023, he’s been active as a communications instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina, where, in addition to teaching classes, he helps his students shape and guide their academic schedules and serves as a mentor for the next generation of thought leaders.
Previously teaching communications and public speaking at San Juan College and Passaic County Community College, Mr. Sanders co-founded the Men of Color Success Initiative at the latter school, which provided young men with a safe space to be themselves. It included a curriculum and platform for learning various aspects of manhood, through which they gained support from institutional stakeholders and formed community partnerships, as well as offered students much-needed downtime outside the rigors of college life. Although he’s no longer active at the community college, the program continues to thrive, and he maintains contact with several of the young men who benefited from it, helping them learn, grow, and build together, which has been his most notable career achievement.
Born and raised in New York City, Mr. Sanders gravitated toward his profession at a young age. The son of two educators, his mother was an elementary teacher before becoming a principal, and his father was a high school history teacher. While pursuing and bolstering his own education, he launched his career in the field. Wielding an associate’s degree in humanities from Orange County Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in communications and media studies, he became a long-term substitute teacher within the Newburgh Enlarged City School District from 2001 to 2004, where he developed his love and passion for his role and for meeting the needs of his students. He subsequently bolstered his credentials with a master’s in communications and media studies from New York Tech and an additional master’s in special education from Touro College, all while advancing as an educator: he taught English at North Junior High School and ELA Enrichment and GED at Best Resource Center, Inc. before becoming a professor at the collegiate level.
Between 2009 and 2012, Mr. Sanders found success at Dover Business College, serving as an English professor, the assistant dean of advisement, and a career services associate. He was active as an admissions counselor at the College of Westchester from 2012 to 2016 and lent his expertise at Passaic County Community College from 2014 to 2021. As a testament to his dedication, he was recognized with a Teacher of the Year Award from San Juan College in 2021.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Sanders, who’s currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at East Carolina University, strives to start his own motivational speaking company in the next five to 10 years. In addition, he plans to establish a nonprofit organization to benefit young men of color, as well as create a scholarship in memory of his sister, who passed away at 24 years old from colon cancer; the scholarship will provide students from Newburgh Free Academy, his alma mater, with opportunities to further their education. Thankful for his professional journey, the many opportunities he’s had, and the many people who’ve helped him along the way, he advises any aspiring educator to “Always take risks, and always bet on yourself.”
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Celebrates James Sanders III for Excellence in Education
James Sanders III serves as a communications instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College
FAYETTEVILLE, NC, March 25, 2025 —
James Sanders III has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Sanders is a distinguished communications instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College, where he has been shaping the minds of students since 2023. With a career spanning over two decades, he has dedicated his life to education and motivational speaking, guiding students in their academic journeys and serving as a mentor for future thought leaders. His expertise in communications, academic advising and hybrid teaching is widely recognized, and he is praised for his ability to inspire and cultivate the next generation.
Mr. Sanders began his professional journey with roles as a special education aide at Newburgh Free Academy from 1998 to 1999 and a long-term substitute teacher in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District from 2001 to 2004, which laid the foundation for his teaching career. In 2004, he became an English teacher at North Junior High School, where he taught until 2005. His passion for education led him to Best Resource Center Inc., where he worked as an English and language arts (ELA) enrichment and general education development (GED) teacher from 2006 to 2011.
In 2009, Mr. Sanders became an English professor at Dover Business College, where he reviewed student textbooks and developed online courses and workshops. During this time, he also served as the assistant dean of advisement and later transitioned to a career services associate position from 2011 to 2012. His commitment to student success continued at The College of Westchester, where he worked as an admissions counselor from 2012 to 2016. At Passaic County Community College, he was an instructor of public speaking and college success from 2014 to 2020 and later became the coordinator of the new student experience, during which he aided initiatives to increase student retention and provided academic counseling.
One of Mr. Sanders’ most notable achievements was co-founding the Men of Color Success Initiative at Passaic County Community College in 2017. The program provided young men with a safe space to learn about adulthood and gain support from institutional stakeholders while forming community partnerships. Also key to the platform’s effectiveness was its Men’s Night Out initiatives, including trips to the theater, museums and Broadway plays to provide young men with fun and educational exposure opportunities. Although no longer with the institution, he remains connected with many participants, helping them grow and build toward success.
Mr. Sanders’ equally accomplished academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in communications and media studies from the State University of New York at Old Westbury in 2001 — where he also won the Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership and Academic Excellence — followed by a Master of Arts in communications and media studies from the New York Institute of Technology in 2004. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Arts in special education from Touro College in 2010 and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at East Carolina University.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Sanders is actively involved in civic organizations such as the NAACP and volunteers with local church groups and Soldiers in God’s Army. In his personal life, he enjoys traveling and speaking engagements with various corporations, organizations and universities. His dedication to his students’ education and personal growth was recognized with the Teacher of the Year award from San Juan College in 2021. Though his career counts many individual milestones, he is most grateful to the many people who have provided him with opportunities to grow throughout his journey.
Looking to the future, Mr. Sanders plans to complete his doctorate, establish a motivational speaking company and create a nonprofit organization benefiting young men of color. Additionally, he aims to honor his late sister by establishing a scholarship for students at Newburgh Free Academy, providing them with opportunities to further their educational endeavors.
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