Director of African American Student Development

June 6, 2018

We are truly delighted and proud to announce Takiyah Jackson as the Director of African American Student Development at UC Berkeley.

Throughout her career, Takiyah has shown an unwavering commitment to working in the field of education through an equity, inclusion, and social justice lens and to interrupting the systems that have caused harm, created barriers to access, and marginalized individuals and communities.

Before arriving at UC Berkeley, Takiyah was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire and Governor Jay Inslee of the state of Washington to serve two terms, 2012-2016, on the Professional Educator Standards Board. She was also elected to lead the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board Executive Committee and worked on the State's Strategic Plan for 2016-2020. Takiyah spent her early career serving her community through her leadership in the Seattle School District where she directed comprehensive student services in Seattle's central distrct, developed a plan to weave social emotional development curriculum into the fabric of schools, and served on the leadership team that created the equity plan for the Seattle School District.

In 2017-18, Takiyah accepted the position of Interim Director of African American Student Development at UC Berkeley. In her short time on campus, she has formed partnerships with students, staff, faculty and alumni, as well as campus and community partners to develop, deliver and implement student development programs, opportunities for greater access to the academic enterprise, resources that support social and emotional health, and cultural events centered around the diversity and public mission of the University of California. 

As Interim Director, she oversaw the African American Student Development (AASD) Office and the Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center (FLHBRC). Takiyah has also played an integral role in organizing and leading the development of structures to effectively execute the African American Initiative, which aims to improve the experience of African American/Black students, staff, and faculty with specific strategies for recruitment, retention, support, and success.  In one year’s time, Takiyah has also worked with her team to secure multiple grants to support and sustain the success and growth of the AASD & FLHBRC programs.

Takiyah received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2000 from UCLA, her Master’s in Counseling (M.Ed) from Seattle Pacific University in 2003, and her national board certification in counseling in 2009.  Takiyah was a student-athlete at UCLA where she played basketball for the women’s basketball team. While at UCLA, her team won two Pac-10 championships, made three NCAA tournament appearances, and advanced to the NCAA tournament Elite 8 in 1999.

Takiyah has been a great addition to the UC Berkeley community not only in her role serving the African American/Black Community, but in her contributions and continued goals of improving campus climate and culture for all students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Please join us in congratulating Takiyah on her appointment as the permanent Director of African American Student Development.

With best regards,

Oscar Dubon, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion

Mia Settles-Tidwell, Chief of Staff

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