Race, Racism &... Series

Published April 1, 2021

We are pleased to introduce our Educational Leadership Racial Equity Fellows (REFs)! In fall 2020, the department put out a call for students in all programs who wanted to help the department prepare all students to advance racial justice and equity in their institutions. We are excited to be able to welcome 6 students into this leadership role (From the doctoral program: Autumn Cunningham, Ryan Howard, Miguel Reyna, Aimee Vaquera, and Oluwatosin Williams; from SDHE: Louis Williams)! This is a very committed, collaborative, and insightful group – and our community is going to benefit from their leadership.

The REFs have been meeting, together with a team of faculty (Drs. Glass, Haviland, O’Brien and Vega), regularly since October and are going to be hosting a series of conversations known as the Race, Racism &… series. These sessions are facilitated dialogues designed to look broadly at issues of race, racism, and society. The REFs will use the lens of specific topics (e.g., Education, Health) in order to name specific dimensions of how the institutions of racism, white privilege, and white supremacy are woven in into our society and how these ideologies impact our institutions. The hope is that by naming and better understanding these topics, we can work as citizens and educational leaders to disrupt and ultimately dismantle these structures.

The sessions, which are facilitated by REF teams, are intended for students, so that participants have the space to be as honest and open as they wish. The goal is to be able to name specific issues and then identify actions or steps that participants can take as educational leaders. Importantly, we view this series as the beginning of an ongoing conversation, with the intent of informing action in the department and beyond. We hope these will be a space for honest conversation, learning and growth that builds our collective ability to advance racial justice.

Ryan Howard

My name is Ryan Howard and my passion for helping others – especially traditionally marginalized groups – is my motivation for working in education. I see my struggles in disadvantaged students plight as they try to successfully navigate our educational system. While trying to find my way professionally, I have worked at various levels within education. This includes working for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a teacher’s assistant with inner city elementary students, and as a high school history teacher. Following graduate school, I taught adult school students and worked as an Instructional Division Coordinator at Compton College. Currently, I am an adjunct Sociology instructor within the Los Angeles Community College District and here at CSU Long Beach.

Miguel Reyna

My name is Miguel Reyna. I am proud to be a Racial Equity Fellow (REF). What follows is a short history of my background:

I have been an educator for the sum of my career. After graduating from UC Berkeley, with a degree in Sociology, I was an eager ingénue ready to make a positive impact on the world, so I thought I would teach- a proven way that shapes the world for the better. I taught Kindergarten for two years in New York. I came back to sunny California after my tenure in New York. Soon after arriving in California I started working at a Vocational School where I taught adult Immigrants Vocational English. This job filled me with satisfaction as I helped vulnerable students equip themselves with the language skills needed to improve their career opportunities. I leverage this experience to a job at Marymount California University where I worked as an Academic English Instructor. Working at MCU made me realize that I loved the collegiate environment and I took steps to making that my new career trajectory. I secured a job at Compton College as a Student Services Advisor. At the same time, I worked toward a second Masters in Higher Education Guidance and Counseling, from Loyola Marymount University. Soon after graduation, I began working at California State University, Fullerton as Retention Specialist for Special Populations. Proud to be a Titan, and a Shark!

Aimee Vaquera

My name is Adriana Aimee Vaquera, but I prefer Aimee. As a Latina, first-generation college student and a daughter of immigrants, my parents pushed education as the pillar of hope and key to success. However, they were not aware of the challenges and barriers I would face. As I navigated higher education when earning my A.A. in Administration of Justice from LBCC and both my B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration and M.S. in College Counseling from CSU, Dominguez Hills, I learned success has different meanings and, right now, success to me is the growth I have done to reach this point in my life.

My drive to be involved, learn, and give back wherever I go brought my passion in higher education to fruition. I have had the privilege to support an array of students with a focus on transfer and undocumented students, lead a first-year experience mentorship program, lead large initiatives geared toward equity and inclusion and support students both at the four-year and community college level navigate their educational journeys to now being at CSULB to continue my own education within the Educational Leadership department. I truly believe in leading with a social justice lens and that we must maintain integrity to truly live our lives authentically.

I have been fortunate to meet amazing people who I am grateful to call my mentors that have believed in me and motivated me to be the best version of myself. I am always eager to challenge myself, learn, and expand my perspective to ultimately give back to students who are navigating a system they may not fully understand.

Louis Williams

I am a proud second-generation college graduate. Currently, I am a third-year Student Development in Higher Education graduate student, Vice-Chair of the University Student Union Board of Trustees, and College of Education Graduate Peer Mentor. I served as the President for the Association of Professional in Student Affairs and Homecoming King for California State University Long Beach. I work at Compton College with multicultural and marginalized students who are underserved by our current traditional educational school models. At California State University, Long Beach I am a research assistant for Nina Flores Ph.D. in the Center for Educational Evaluation and Effectiveness student scholar’s program. We are examining the issue of targeted faculty harassment by members of the public. I am passionate about helping students be successful and reach their goals.

Oluwatosin Williams

My parents, who immigrated from Nigeria to California, instilled a drive for education and hard work into myself and my 5 siblings. However, despite being a high academic achiever in grade school, I felt underprepared for college. This is when I learned that college is more than the 4 walls of a classroom and the pages of the book. It is the experience and navigation skills offered by everyone on campus.

My experience in education spans 16 years. Ever since my first job at USC tutoring students to teaching supplemental English at community colleges, I knew I was in the best field for me. However, I felt compelled to pivot from academic affairs to student services because I witnessed all too many of my students needing help navigating the educational process. I have had a wonderful time helping students of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexualities and other socio-political populations navigate the community college system.

As someone who believes in the power of education being, and that education is a critical tool that unlocks opportunities often unavailable to those in lower-income neighborhoods, my dedication to enhancing my community is exemplified in all that I do personally and professionally.

Some of my hobbies include painting, playing the saxophone, and hanging out with my roommate. My roommate, Harley Loretta Quinn (full name), is a bearded dragon who enjoys being waited on and given greens and fruit.

More Bios Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Race, Racism, & Education

Moderated by: Racial Equity Fellows
Autumn Cunningham
Ryan Howard
Oluwatosin Williams

During this session, we will analyze the myriad of ways race impacts individual and group experiences within the American educational system, from transitional kindergarten to postsecondary education. A brief historical account will be given at the outset to provide foundational knowledge for participants; encapsulating the longstanding inequities within the educational system. A conceptualization of key terms such as: race, anti-Blackness, systemic racism, and microaggressions will also occur. These terms are commonly used yet rarely understood, and the mechanisms that attribute to their impact are oftentimes overlooked. Furthermore, we aim to provide a safe space for dialogue that will examine the personal experiences of historically marginalized and oppressed groups when interacting with various components of the educational system. Facilitators will also discuss funding inequalities, curriculum structure, and psychological impacts experienced by communities of color, using an intersectional framework to highlight the unique perspectives and challenges scholars may encounter at various points of their academic career. Although personal experiences will contribute to connecting race and educational on the micro level, we will simultaneously connect these individualized experiences to the systemic inequities that occur on the macro level. The ultimate goal is to provide tools to assist individuals in the comprehension and analysis of the deleterious effects an individual’s racial identity has on their educational journey, and how racialized outcomes are indicative of the American educational system.

Race, Racism, & Mental Health

Moderated by: Racial Equity Fellows
Aimee Vaquera
Louis Williams
Miguel Reyna

During this session, we will discuss the impact racism has on the mental health of Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). We will provide an overview of concepts, such as: anti-Blackness, microaggressions, racism, mental health, and systemic oppression. Our nation’s civil unrest has placed a strain on communities of color with actions deeply rooted in racism. Unfortunately, many do not have the tools or understanding of how to process emotional turmoil. Racism affects an individual’s physical well-being; however, the mental and emotional impact has not been deeply explored to understand its long-term effects. Long-term effects can range from impostor syndrome, stress, anxiety, and oppression. Although mental health has become more accepted in recent years, disparities remain prevalent in mental health access for BIPOC. We aim to provide context on how racism and mental health intersect, spotlight persistent challenges present in Black and Brown communities and explore possible strategies to ameliorate these challenges.

Race, Racism & Economics

Moderated by: Racial Equity Fellows
Autumn Cunningham
Ryan Howard
Miguel Reyna

During this session, we will analyze the myriad of ways race impacts individual and group experiences connected the United States economy. A brief historical account will be given at the outset to provide foundational knowledge for participants; encapsulating the longstanding inequities associated with a capitalist system and the evolution of the economy at large. A conceptualization of key terms such as: race, anti-Blackness, systemic racism, and microaggressions will also occur. These terms are commonly used, yet rarely understood, and the mechanisms that attribute to their impact are oftentimes overlooked. Furthermore, we aim to provide a safe space for dialogue that will examine the personal experiences of historically marginalized and oppressed groups when interacting with various components of wealth, wage gaps, income, and transformative assets. Facilitators will also discuss funding inequalities, capitalist structures and systems, and psychological impacts experienced by communities of color, using an intersectional framework to highlight the unique perspectives and challenges BIPOC may encounter at various points in their lives. Although personal experiences will contribute to connecting race and economics on the micro level, we will simultaneously connect these individualized experiences to the systemic inequities that occur on the macro level. The ultimate goal is to provide tools to assist individuals in the comprehension and analysis of the deleterious effects an individual’s racial identity has on their participation in the United States economy.

Race, Racism & Racial Battle Fatigue

Moderated by: Racial Equity Fellows
Aimee Vaquera
Louis Williams
Oluwatosin Williams

Racial Battle Fatigue is the physical and psychological toll taken due to constant and unceasing discrimination, microaggressions, and actions based on racial stereotypes. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in racial battle fatigue within higher education as equity practitioners fight for equity within the educational systems. This workshop will be an unabashed conversation with real higher education employees on how racial battle fatigue creates hindrances for employees and students and practical strategies to boost individual and employee effectiveness and morale in supporting student success.