Antonius Skipper

Dr. Antonius D. Skipper is a gerontologist joining the Gerontology Institute in the Fall of 2020. A native of Atlanta, 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 involves understanding the role of religion and spirituality in the health, behaviors, and well-being of older African Americans. As a member of the American Families of Faith Project, he conducted 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, Dr. Skipper’s work emphasizes the importance of recognizing religious beliefs, practices, and communities as social determinants of health for African Americans, in general, and older African American men, specifically. With this, he utilizes his research to inform health care and faith-based interventions.

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 the Huel D. Perkins Fellowship, Life Course and Aging Center’s Best Presentation Award, Honorary induction into Phi Alpha Honor Society, Selection as a Butler-Williams Scholars Fellow and Selection as an Obesity Health Disparities PRIDE Fellow.