For Marsha, barriers are made to be broken. So are comfort zones.
Marsha attended Arlington High School, where she participated in marching band and served as drum major, a role historically occupied by men. When invited to drum major camp in rural Indiana, Marsha realized she was not only one of the few women but also the only African-American. But where others may have seen a challenge, she saw opportunity. It wasn't long before Marsha and her fellow drum majors were able to break down stereotypes and embrace their true common ground—music.
After graduation, Marsha headed to Tuskegee University in Alabama to study political science. She soon followed this with a master's degree in higher education. While at Tuskegee, Marsha developed a passion for mentorship rooted in her own experience with the late Lawrence Hanks, then-chairman of Tuskegee's Department of Political Science and later a professor of political science at IU Bloomington.