Meet Our Team

Dr. Cedric Hackett is a distinguished scholar, educator, and community leader dedicated to advancing academic excellence, equity, and inclusion. Currently serving as a faculty member in Africana Studies at California State University Northridge (CSUN) since fall 2011, Dr. Hackett brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. He has served as the Director of the DuBois Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement at CSUN since 2012, playing a pivotal role in fostering academic success among underrepresented students.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Hackett is deeply committed to community engagement. He has coordinated the LAUSD Black Student Alliance Program for Nobel Middle School, Portola Middle School and Chatsworth High School, providing invaluable support and resources to Black students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. As a presenter at the 3rd Annual Black Student Excellence Summit and a panelist at previous summits, Dr. Hackett actively advocates for the empowerment and advancement of Black youth.

Within the university, Dr. Hackett has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives aimed at supporting student-athletes. He directed the Accelerating Academic Success Program-AASP Grant (NCAA) in 2022-2023, securing $75,000 to enhance academic support services for student-athletes. Furthermore, he has served on various committees, including the CSU Chancellor's Ad hoc Committee and the CSU Trustees’ Scholarship Committee, demonstrating his commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community.

Dr. Hackett's dedication to education, equity, and community service is evident in his extensive involvement in university, college, and community initiatives. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and academic achievement, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of students and community members alike.

Dr. Hackett has also contributed to scholarly discourse with publications focusing on mentorship in African American communities, student engagement in African-centered environments, and the media's portrayal of violence against Black bodies. His research highlights the importance of fostering belongingness and experiential learning for marginalized students while critiquing societal narratives that perpetuate harm and injustice. Additionally, Dr. Hackett’s expertise extends to peer reviewing, where he has assessed the nuanced intersectionality of race and identity in academic works, notably serving as a reviewer for the Black Minds Project on Racelighting in 2021.

Maureen is currently an undergraduate student at California State University, Northridge, pursuing a major in Computer Science. In addition to her academic pursuits, she feels privileged to work as a program assistant for Dr. Cedric Hackett within the DuBois-Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement, focusing on academic achievements and research endeavors. Maureen’s ultimate aspiration is to develop innovative solutions that significantly contribute to the advancement of her generation and future ones. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she values spending quality time with family and friends. Maureen is also an avid reader and a passionate painter, which allows her to explore her creative side and further expand her horizons.

Thabiso is an international student born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, by his parents Darlington and Carolyn. His educational journey began in private schools, laying a strong foundation for higher education in the United States. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business Law from California State University, Northridge, and later attended Southwestern Law School in California.
 
Thabiso's upbringing has been instrumental in shaping his success, fostering a deep-seated commitment to community service and social advocacy. Despite not being directly immersed in impoverished living conditions, from a young age, Thabiso was familiar with prevalent social issues such as poverty, social inequality, substance abuse, and violence, prompting him to address these challenges actively. At the age of 17, Thabiso assumed leadership as the president of his high school's Interact club in Zimbabwe, a platform dedicated to initiating and executing sustainable projects for disadvantaged communities. During his tenure, Thabiso led initiatives including revitalizing two dilapidated high schools and refurbishing the capital city's Social Works building. Additionally, he collaborated with other Interact chapters to provide housing and support for disabled and orphaned individuals. His experiences have shaped him into a dedicated advocate for community upliftment and social change.
 
Now, as a Graduate Research Assistant at the DuBois Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement, Thabiso uses this passion and experience to promote racial equality, health, academic readiness, and leadership development among kindergarten to university-level students.

Kayla Spruill graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She is currently serving as the inaugural supervising graduate research assistant for the DuBois-Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement, where she contributes to innovative scholarly research. Kayla's research focuses on health disparities among Black males and advocating for minority students. She is passionate about statistics and conducting diversified research, which she plans to showcase through conference presentations and article publications, ultimately aiming to deliver TED talks. Kayla's future goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience to advance groundbreaking scientific research and ensure maximum transparency in sharing knowledge with minorities. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, researching holistic healthcare, cooking, and hiking at the beach. 

Willard Harry Thompson Jr, is a senior at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Physics was his major, however, owing to unforeseen circumstances, he is now pursuing a B.A., in Africana Studies African and the African-American Social Sciences Option. He is a current program assistant with the DuBois-Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement (DHIAA) and student math tutor at the College of Science and Mathematics Student Services Center. Williard is also a LAEP program scientist working with Dr. Hackett as his mentor to do research on a project with DHIAA. He adores anime, manga, video games, and literature. At CSUN, Willard wants to give back to his community.

Yi Ding (Ding) is a first-generation Asian American immigrant and a tenured faculty librarian at California State University Northridge (CSUN), where she coordinates the Library Online Instruction Team and the Affordable Learning Solutions initiative to support students in the blended learning environment, especially those who are struggling with basic needs. A firm believer in the power of civic engagement in building an equitable educational pipeline, she also leads the CSUN Act Now team dedicated to voter and civic engagement, serves on the LA County Commission for Women committed to women empowerment, and chairs the Equity Task Force at Our Community School to enact racially equitable school governance practices in the local community.

As one who has taught in both college and high school settings, Tim understands that students must be treated respectfully and receive instruction to improve their abilities. In the classroom, he gives lessons that challenge students and provide them with the skills they will use to succeed in college, careers, and life. Students deserve to feel welcome and comfortable in their educational environment, and he hopes to bring that energy into his classroom. He has over 16 years of experience in higher education management and educational support.

Ayana Galves is a passionate Outreach Counselor Trainee specializing in Black student recruitment. With her Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies, she has gained a deep understanding of the challenges and rich cultural heritage of the Black community. Ayana’s role involves actively reaching out to prospective Black students, organizing workshops, and college fairs to provide them with guidance and support. She firmly believes in the importance of representation, and she is dedicated to mentoring and empowering potential students through education. In her free time, she indulges in the entrepreneurial spirit by running small businesses. She also loves to travel and explore new foods, as they nurture her curiosity about the world and broaden her cultural experiences.

Rashawn Green is the Director for the Learning Resource Center at California State University, Northridge where she has been making contributions to the university for over 20 years. 

As an alumna of the University, earning both her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies degrees, she is in a unique position in understanding how to balance university protocol with student needs. 

Rashawn is an active member of the Matador family and serves on several boards and committees on campus. She is part of the emancipated foster youth Resilient Scholars Program; the Teaching Learning Group, who launched the Five Gears for Activating Learning: Researched-Based Principles for Teaching and Learning; and the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam Advisory Board to name a few. She is also a founding executive board member of the Black Alumni Association and serves as its treasurer and liaison to the Black Graduation Committee.

In addition to her work on campus, she is very active with community based organizations and associations.  She is a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Rashawn spends her limited free time with her husband of over 17 years and her two children who are the motivation behind all of the extraordinary work she has done for so many years.

Allen E. Lipscomb, PsyD, LCSW is an Associate Professor, Associate Chair, Director of MSW Online Program; as well as Director of Minority Male Mentoring (M3) and Student Success Allies (SSA) program at California State University Northridge in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Lipscomb is a clinical psychologist with the highest degree earned and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. Dr. Lipscomb specializes in providing anti-oppressive and inclusive mental health services to individuals, children, youth, and families of color. His areas of research are centered on the psychiatric epidemiology among racialized and marginalized individuals who have experienced trauma (i.e., complex trauma, traumatic-grief, and race-based trauma). Specifically, Dr. Lipscomb has conducted numerous qualitative research studies on racialized Black identified men across the Black/African Diaspora exploring their grief, loss, and complex-trauma experiences. His pedagogy is centered on cultural anti-oppressive and clinically responsive inclusive practices with communities of color. 

Robert is a staff member at the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Student Services Center, where he is the academic advisor for the Psychology department. Robert has been with the CSBS-SSC for over 10 years, holding a variety of roles from student assistant, graduate intern, assistant coordinator (A.G.E. program), and academic advisor. Mr. Park received both his B.A. & M.S. degrees from CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE (CSUN). His Bachelor' degree is in Sociology Option IV: Interviewing & Counseling and his Master's degree is from the department of Education Psychology & Counseling, Option: College Counseling & Student Services. He is currently working towards achieving a Career Counseling Certification. Robert is passionate about working with college students and draws from his personal experiences, educational knowledge and professional skills to support students in following their dreams.

Dr. Barbara Rhodes is a distinguished and accomplished individual, holding the title of Professor Emeritus at California State University, Northridge. With an impressive academic journey that includes earning a BA from the University of California at Los Angeles, an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and postdoctoral work at UCLA and the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Rhodes has d dedicated her career to education and community service. Serving as an Emeritus Professor since 2006, she has made significant contributions as the Director of the JW Anthony Youth and Family Outreach, Inc., and as the Co-principal investigator of a federal abstinence program. Her leadership role as the Director of the DuBois-Hamer Institute at California State University, Northridge from 1991 to 2005 showcases her commitment to academic excellence. Dr. Rhodes has extended her impact beyond academia through a myriad of community programs targeting at-risk youth and their parents, earning numerous grants and accolades for her outstanding service. Her extensive collaboration with various organizations, board memberships, and volunteer work further exemplify her dedication to uplifting underserved communities. Dr. Barbara Rhodes is a beacon of inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on education, community service, and the lives of countless individuals.

Gabriel Selassie is an Assistant Professor for the Africana Studies department. Professor Selassie’s education includes an earned Bachelors’ of Architecture and Civil Engineering from Prairie View A & M University of Texas (HBCU), an M.A in Public History and Historic Preservation from the California State University, Dominguez Hills, an M.A. in African American studies from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and M.A in theology from the University of Notre Dame. He also holds earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history from the Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Selassie served in the U.S. Army and was both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer.

Maya Singleton is a lecturer of Africana Studies at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). At CSUN, she serves as Co-Faculty Editor of Kapu-Sens: Student Literary Journal and as the Africana Studies Writing Center Interim Assistant Coordinator. In the writing center, she helps with training culturally competent tutors who can be of service to the campus community through one-on-one tutoring, workshops, and presentations. As a member of CSUN’s University Writing Council, she actively contributes to the strengthening and implementation of new training and curriculum for the first-year writing program. Singleton provides additional faculty support for CSUN’s Bridge to the Future: Black Scholars Matter program through initial program activity development and student cohort admissions. Singleton currently holds an M.A. in Humanities, a B.A. in Pan-African Studies, and a B.A. in English Creative Writing, all from CSUN. She is a PhD student at UC Irvine in their Film and Media Studies program. There, she plans to hone her interdisciplinary research through specialization in Black girlhood and Black feminisms within popular culture and media. She has supported the DuBois Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement (DHIAA) as its first research assistant under Dr. Hackett’s leadership where she developed the Black Matador logo amongst other things. She is enthusiastic to now serve on the advisory board where she supports programming at local LAUSD schools and additional creative projects for DHIAA including penning the plaque honoring the founding torchbearers of CSUN’s Africana Studies Department and commemorating the sacrifices made during the Storm at Valley State.

Biography coming soon.