Antonius Skipper

Dr. Antonius D. Skipper is a gerontologist joining the Gerontology Institute in the Fall of 2020. After growing up in the Atlanta area, Dr. Skipper received a B.S. in Exercise Science and a M.A. in Gerontology, both from Georgia State University. Following two years of service with the Atlanta Housing Authority, Dr. Skipper obtained a M.A. in Education, with a specialization in Applied Research, Measurement, and Evaluation, and a Ph.D. in Social Work, both from Louisiana State University. Prior to joining the Gerontology Institute, Dr. Skipper led initiatives on minority aging and advocacy as an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at Winston-Salem State University.

Dr. Skipper’s research largely involves examining the relationships, religiosity, and health of African Americans across the life course. As a member of the American Families of Faith Project, he conducts in-depth interviews with enduring African American couples from various religious backgrounds, with the goal to understand the religious processes that contribute to marital stability. In addition, his work adopts strength-focused approaches to highlighting social factors, such as dyadic support and fictive kin, as determinants of health for older African Americans.

Dr. Skipper’s research appears in numerous journals on aging and family studies. He has also shared his work via national radio platforms and conference presentations. His awards and honors include fellow of the Butler-Williams Scholars Program, fellow of the Michigan Integrative Well-Being and Inequality Program, scholar with the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research collaborative, and selection into Georgia State University’s 40 Under 40.