From the vibrant streets of Memphis to the chancellorship at Rutgers University–Camden, Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D., has followed a path shaped by tradition, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.

A first-generation college student raised by his grandparents in the Bluff City, Antonio Tillis brings a rich personal history, global perspective, and deep community commitment to his leadership.

Tillis recently spoke with DELCO Today to share how his journey through corporate life, international academia, and public service has led him to champion access, equity, and opportunity for students who, like him, dare to dream beyond the expected.

Where were you born, and where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. — the Bluff City. I had a wonderful childhood. Growing up in a city so rich in American history and music really shaped me as a young man. Stax Records in Memphis is special, as during the Civil Rights Movement, it was a place where Black and white musicians could come together for jam sessions, and that spirit of unity and creativity had a lasting impact on me.

What did your parents do?

My mom worked a clerical job at a hospital in Memphis before marrying and relocating to Detroit, and ultimately Los Angeles. As the first grandchild, I stayed in Memphis with my grandparents — something very common in Black Southern families. You don’t take the first grandson from the grandfather!

What memories stay with you from growing up with your grandparents?

They were of the old-school generation. I didn’t own a pair of jeans until I was in college. Wearing a formal shirt untucked was unheard of. I was taught gentlemanly traditions — like walking on the outside of the sidewalk when with a woman — that still guide me today. My grandmother was deeply religious and incredibly strict. She only cursed once that I can recall. My grandparents were much stricter on me than on their 12 children.

How did that strictness impact you?

It gave me a strong moral compass and an appreciation for tradition. My grandmother would always remind me that being different was a strength. She’d say, referring to his being different, “They talked about Jesus, and He came to save them. So what makes you think life is going to be easy for you?”

At that time, being a smart boy wasn’t popular in my neighborhood, but my grandparents ensured I embraced it. They also encouraged my curiosity — I joined the Boy Scouts, the American Red Cross Youth Delegation, and even worked as a candy striper.

Did you play any sports in high school?

I played point guard on the basketball team, but I stopped. I knew basketball wouldn’t get me to college. So, I focused on leadership, and I became Student Council President. My plan was to go to law school. My grandfather and I used to watch Perry Mason, and I was captivated by his rhetoric in the courtroom.

When did you first recognize your leadership potential?

It was when I became the senior patrol leader of my Boy Scout troop. I remember speaking, and everyone got quiet and listened. It actually startled me at first.

Did you have any part-time jobs in high school?

My family didn’t let me work, even though we needed the money. My job was to study. My first official job came during undergrad through work-study programs.

Tell me about the kind of music you grew up with.

Music was always in my life. Living close to Beale Street, I could walk and hear live performances. Saturday mornings, my grandfather would play Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Big Mama Thornton. I sang in the church youth choir. Growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, before Black radio, we listened to everything from Aretha Franklin and the Carpenters to Captain & Tennille. Prince was one of my favorites. In 1982, during my senior year of high school, I snuck out to see him perform.

Where did you go to college, and why?

I went to Vanderbilt University. I was the first in my family to attend college. My family encouraged me to stay local, but my guidance counselor, Molly Long, changed everything. I wrote one essay, and she sent it to schools I hadn’t even considered. Wherever I went to school, transportation was a concern. Vanderbilt won me over during a campus visit, and the $16 bus ride home sealed the deal.

Was Vanderbilt the right choice?

It absolutely was. I majored in Spanish and English. Vanderbilt gave me the academic challenge I needed and helped me grow as a leader. I helped launch the Black Student Weekend program after noticing its absence on campus. Chancellor Wyatt supported our proposal, and that program still exists today. I also joined Alpha Phi Alpha — the oldest historically Black fraternity — and have stayed active ever since.

Did you go straight into a Ph.D. program or pursue law school?

Initially, I planned to attend law school. While speaking out at Vanderbilt about divesting from South Africa, I caught the attention of a board trustee, the CEO of Merck. He asked if I’d considered business, and I ended up working for Merck as a Hospital Product Specialist. I later joined the Miller Brewing Company as an Area Sales Manager. But it wasn’t fulfilling. I craved something more meaningful.

What changed your path?

A friend suggested I attend a lecture by Manuel Zapata Olivella, a Colombian writer of African descent. That night changed my life. Shortly after, I enrolled in the master’s program in Spanish Literature at Howard University. Later, I earned my doctorate in Romance languages and Afro-Latin American literature at the University of Missouri under Dr. Marvin Lewis.

When did you realize higher education was your calling?

While pursuing my master’s, I taught at a Christian orphanage in the Dominican Republic called Cry of the Caribbean. I found teaching effortless and fulfilling. Then, teaching Spanish at Howard confirmed it; I felt joy and purpose. That’s when I knew higher education was my path.

Who were some key mentors along the way?

So many. My high school teachers were foundational. At Vanderbilt, Professor Ana Rueda was a guiding force. At Howard, Dr. James Davis took an immediate interest in me. And when Purdue University was seeking someone in Afro-Hispanic literature, Dr. Marcia Stephenson reached out. I spent nine great years there before moving to Dartmouth as Department Chair, thanks to a colleague who recognized my work.

What brought you to Rutgers–Camden?

I left Dartmouth because I wanted to return to Public Education. As a first-generation college student, I felt drawn to an institution that served students like me. Rutgers–Camden offered that and brought me back to the Northeast.

What are your top priorities as Chancellor in 2025?

Ensuring Rutgers–Camden delivers on its promise of accessibility and affordability. We’ve launched a mayoral internship program and recently began a partnership placing students in IT, marketing, and communications internships with the Philadelphia 76ers. We also prioritize global exposure — helping students get passports and study abroad with support from partners like TD Bank. Our students log over 100,000 hours of community-based learning annually, coordinated by Dr. Nyeema Watson, our Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement and Strategy.

How do you spend your free time?

I’ve recently rediscovered reading for pleasure. I’m immersed in The Living Blood by Tananarive Due — it’s part of a speculative fiction trilogy about Ethiopian immortals. I also sing and have performed with chorales in almost every city I’ve lived in. I plan to find one in Philadelphia. And I love to travel.

Where’s your favorite place you’ve visited?

Paris. I could move there tomorrow. I also love Brazil. I completed a Fulbright there and fell in love with the culture. It reminded me of the American South with the food, the warmth, and the rhythm of life. The okra, oxtails, rice, and beans — it all felt like home.

What’s something big you’ve changed your mind about in the last ten years?

I’ve changed my thinking around purpose. I once believed my trajectory would lead me to become President of a large, multifaceted institution — something like Purdue. But I’ve come to understand the profound impact I can have as Chancellor at Rutgers–Camden. Leading a campus that mirrors my own experiences as a first-generation student feels purposeful in ways I didn’t anticipate. That shift in perspective has been monumental for me.

What keeps you hopeful and optimistic in today’s world?

Graduation. Commencement each May reminds me why I do this work. I have an insider’s view of the future because I see it in our students—our student government leaders, Gilman Scholars, Schwarzman Scholars, Fulbright recipients. I see their drive, their brilliance, and the lives they’ll shape. Many remind me of a younger version of myself, or, truthfully, a better version because of the opportunities they’ve embraced that I didn’t have. That’s where my hope lies.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

It came from my mentor, former Houston Mayor and Congressman Sylvester Turner. During a tough season early in this role, I called him for guidance. He said, “Tillis, when I was having a hard time during my first months as Mayor, I looked up to heaven and said, ‘God, I know I asked You for it — but please remind me why You gave it to me.’” That stuck with me.

Dr. King’s words also live within me: “If I could be the best at whatever I do — if it’s street sweeping, be the best street sweeper you can be.” And Emerson’s timeless reminder: “Hitch your wagon to a star.” Dream big, always.

I’ve carried those three pieces of advice with me throughout my life, and they continue to guide me every day.