DeMarquis Hayes, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Services, and Professor, Department of Psychology and Special Education

As a school psychologist in the Dallas Independent School District who originated from Memphis, Tennessee, DeMarquis Hayes, Ph.D., thought Dallas would be a two- to five-year stop. All these years later, he still loves being in Texas. Hayes enjoys working in academia and has been at A&M-Commerce since 2012. He takes great pride in training school psychologists who make a difference in the lives of children and families daily. During his downtime, Hayes enjoys exercising with his wife at Camp Gladiator. He played high school football and ran track, competing in 110m high hurdles on a team that won back-to-back state championships!

A Conversation With Dr. Hayes

What makes you passionate about psychology?

I enjoy my interactions with our students and making a difficult subject relatable. I accomplish this by talking. Go figure, a psychologist who likes to talk! I believe you never know which student will get inspired or want to do something different, by just talking with them, laughing with them or just giving them a hard time!

What do you like most about your career?

When I think about my career, I split it into two categories.

As practitioner, I absolutely loved being a school psychologist and helping my kids succeed. The most gratifying part was having students not necessarily on my caseload or assigned to me, who would come ask if they can speak with me or ask my advice on how to handle a situation. Although you don't always see the impact you are making, you know you are planting a seed that will one day bloom.

As a professor, I absolutely love what I do! I left my profession as a school psychologist because I thought I could make a greater impact by training future school psychologists. Over the years, I have trained countless students who have gone on to enter the field and help children. I am always so excited to run into former students and ask what districts they are working in and how they are doing.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., School Psychology, Tulane University, 2005
• MS, School Psychology, Tulane University, 2001
• BS, Psychological Services & Human Development, Northwestern University, 1999

Academic Positions

• Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Services, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2023-present
• Professor, Department of Psychology and Special Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2022-present
• Assistant Dean, College of Education and Human Services, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2020-2023
• Interim Department Head/Department Head, Department of Psychology and Special Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2019-2020
• Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Special Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2016-2022
• Assistant Professor, Psychology, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2012-2016
• Assistant Professor, Psychology, University of North Texas, 2007-2012
• Adjunct Professor, Psychology, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2007

Awards and Honors

• Certificate of Appreciation, African American Male Mentorship Program, TAMUC, 2015
• Outstanding Reviewer Award, Urban Education, 2012
• Early Career Scholar, School Psychology Research Collaboration Conference, 2011

Professional Organizations

• Society for Research in Child Development
• National Association of School Psychologists
• Society for Research on Adolescence
• Dallas/Ft. Worth Regional Association of School Psychologists
• Texas Association of School Psychologists

Research Funding

• $425,000, Inter-American Development Bank, 2011-2012

Featured Courses

• PSY 321: Psychology of Adolescence
• PSY 572: Psychological Assessment/Measure
• PSY 691: Clinical Practicum Psychology
• PSY 790: Internship in School Psychology
• SPED 572: Principles of Assessment/Measure

Selected Publications

• Combes, B. H., Chang, M., Austin, J. E., & Hayes, D. (2016). The Use of Evidence-Based Practices in the Provision of Social Skills Training for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder among School Psychologists. Psychology in the Schools, 53, 548-563. doi: 10.1002/pits.21923
• Connel, B., Hayes, D., & Carlson, M. (2015). Relation between parental divorce and adjustment in college students. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 56, 336-345.
• Hayes, D., Blake, J. J., Darensbourg, A., & Castillo, L. G. (2015). Examining the academic achievement of Latino adolescents: The role of peer and parental influences. Journal of Early Adolescence, 35, 141-161.