Dr. Erin Vines currently serves as the Executive Director for the African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) and is also a board member of the organization. Previously Dr. Vines served as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services at Antelope Valley College for nine years. Prior to joining AVC, Dr. Vines served as Dean of Counseling and Special Services at Solano Community College for seven years. Dr. Vines served as adjunct faculty at California State University, Northridge in both the master’s and doctorial programs. He served as full-time faculty, classified, and administrator at the secondary level prior to entering into higher education.
Dr. Vines has a true understanding of the many challenges related to enrollment, retention and student success that confront community colleges today. He also knows firsthand as a community college graduate and experience as a community college leader that a positive campus culture, challenging coursework, supportive faculty, effective supplemental instruction and sound innovative leadership can enhance a student’s experience while fulfilling the mission of the college.
Dr. Vines earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California in Educational Leadership. He earned two Master’s Degrees, one in Education Counseling from California State University, Bakersfield and the other from the University of LaVerne in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Vines is married and has one teenage daughter. In his spare time he enjoys to travel, read, play golf and watching sports. He is also a mentor to many students and professionals.
ANAHEIM, CA – December 11, 2023 – The board of the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2 MEND) organization is excited to share that Dr. Scott W. Thayer has been selected as the next president of Cypress College. The decision was approved by the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees at their Nov. 14 meeting.
“Dr. Scott Thayer was a part of the leadership that established A2 MEND almost 20 years ago,” said Herbert English, President, A2 MEND. “He has been laser focused on student success and positive change within the California Community College system. He will go above and beyond as a college president for the campus and community.”
Prior to arriving to Cypress College, Dr. Thayer served as an administrator in the California Community College system for the past 23 years in various executive leadership positions during his career at San Bernardino Valley College, Cuyamaca College, Pasadena City College, and Los Angeles Southwest College. Dr. Thayer has been an advocate for historically underrepresented students throughout his professional career.
“I am excited for Cypress College as not only are they gaining a seasoned equity focused leader, but they are also gaining a great, kind, and conscientious person,” said Dr. Edward Bush, President, Cosumnes River College, and a founding member of A2 MEND. “I am eagerly anticipating the impactful work that will occur at Cypress College under Dr. Thayer’s leadership.”
Dr. Thayer holds a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Southern California. Prior to this, he earned his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University in California, his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rollins College in Florida, and his Associate of Arts from Normandale Community College in Minnesota. Notably, Dr. Thayer was awarded a scholarship to extend his baseball career at Rollins College following his instrumental role in securing two state championships for Normandale Community College.
“We are so excited and proud that Dr. Thayer will be the next president of Cypress College,” said Dr. Ricky Shabazz, President, San Diego City College. “Dr. Thayer works to improve the educational conditions for all students which makes him an excellent leader. He will work collaboratively with faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students to further many of the great efforts that are already underway at Cypress College. I promise you that they made the right choice.
Dr. Thayer is actively engaged in professional development and community organizations. He has fulfilled the role of a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) coach through the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) under the state Chancellor’s Office. Additionally, Dr. Thayer has contributed as a member of Partnership Resource Teams, offering technical assistance to bolster student access, retention, K-20 partnerships, and equity and success initiatives.
In addition to his position as the treasurer and a founding member of A²MEND, he is also a cofounder of Have Faith, Be Strong, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer. Together with his wife Maria, they take pride in being parents to their daughters, Maya, and Marisol.
Dr. Thayer will assume his new role in January 2024.
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The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2 MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A2 MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges.
LOS ANGELES – July 13, 2023 – The board of the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is proud to announce that Dr. Amanuel Gebru has been selected as the next president of Los Angeles City College (LACC). He will begin his new role at the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges in August.
Dr. Gebru currently served as the president of A 2MEND, which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the interest and success of African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators at California’s community colleges. During his tenure as president, executive director, and board member of A 2MEND, he has helped to secure several millions of dollars in grant funding and unrestricted funds to carry out the organization’s mission.
A2MEND has collaborated and built partnerships with funders such as the Ballmer Group, College Future’s Foundation, RSS Consulting, CREAL, and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). The organization has also provided over $1 million in direct student aid, educational cultural excursions, and mentorship that has yielded successful transfer and graduation rates among African American male students. Known as a galvanizing and collaborative leader, Dr. Gebru also oversaw the elevation of A2MEND international and global outreach with its cultural excursion program and study abroad to Africa, both for students and professionals. Both personally and professionally, Dr. Gebru is committed to building relationships, identifying resource needs, and securing partnerships that will help to sustain the college’s mission. His term as A2MEND president ended on July 1.
Dr. Gebru’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is widespread. The announcement of his presidency was met with overwhelming support and congratulations from some of the premier equity and advocacy organizations and leaders in higher education from across the state.
“The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) is honored to extend our congratulations to Dr. Amanuel Gebru on his appointment as President of Los Angeles City College,” said Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, president of FACCC. “Through his work with the A 2MEND organization, Dr. Gebru has demonstrated exceptional leadership in uplifting, supporting, and mentoring young African American males in higher education. The outcomes of this work demonstrate that guidance and mentorship can empower marginalized students and improve student success rates. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the college and the wider community it serves.”
“On behalf of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), I extend congratulations to our colleague and equity champion, Dr. Amanuel Gebru, on his selection as Los Angeles City College’s next permanent president,” said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, president of APAHE and San José City College. “We have long been inspired by Dr. Gebru’s dedication and commitment to increasing higher education access and student success for men of color, particularly African American and Latinx men, two student populations that significantly declined in enrollment across California Community Colleges during the pandemic. We also look forward to his continued leadership with A 2MEND (African American Male Education Network and Development), our COALITION partners in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism across our system.”
“We’re so proud of Dr. Amanuel Gebru selected as the new president of Los Angeles City College,” said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, president of COLEGAS and Fullerton College. “We have known and worked with him for many years in different leadership capacities from student services to instructional dean to executive leadership in community colleges. He is a trusted leader, a champion for social justice and liberation, and Dr. Gebru is the leader the community deserves, who will ensure student needs are central to the daily business of the college. As a leader in A2MEND, a member of The Coalition, we are so overjoyed about Amanuel starting his new presidency. Felicidades!”
“Dr. Gebru represents the new type of leadership that our system needs,” said Dr. Edward Bush, president of Cosumnes River College and co-founder of A2MEND. “Dr. Gebru is an inclusive, unapologetic leader who is laser-focused on creating an equitable and just learning environment for students and employees. I am excited to witness the powerful innovative work that will emerge out of LACC under Dr. Gebru’s leadership.”
“To me Dr. Gebru has been both a big brother and father figure as my mentor since 2017,” said Amman Asfaw, A 2MEND scholar and graduate. “He’s relatable and honest like a big brother would be but yet wise and guiding like a father should be. I especially appreciate how he leads by example and in his actions. I hope students and faculty at LACC will get the chance to benefit from his leadership!”
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The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A2MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges.
Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545
Department
President’s Office
Job Summary
The Chabot College Community Chabot College is committed to educational equity in its academic programs and college services so that students may achieve their personal, educational, and career goals. Our equity work today builds upon a strong history: the Puente and Umoja (formerly Daraja) learning communities, now models which have been replicated across the state, were created at Chabot College. These programs have paved the way for a series of additional educational and student support programs intentionally focused on equity that thrive at Chabot College today. Chabot College is located in Hayward, California, the third most diverse city in the United States. We serve a highly diverse student population and are proud to be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Information about the demographics of our campus community can be found here (http://www.chabotcollege.edu/ir/).
Serving our diverse community requires a culturally-responsive approach that recognizes the myriad strengths and assets that our students bring to the campus community. We do so by promoting a classroom and co-curricular learning environment that is inclusive, collaborative, engaging, and challenging, and where respect, dignity, and integrity are core values. We see students as producers of knowledge, not just consumers of knowledge. We work to reframe inequities as a problem of practice, and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and institutional responsibility.
Joining Our College Community We seek equity-minded applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to an educational community. We look for applicants who:
1. Accept their shared role and responsibility in addressing opportunity and achievement gaps experienced by students 2. Value and intentionally promote diversity and consciousness of difference 3. Empower the underrepresented and underserved 4. Demonstrate cultural competence and cultural humility 5. Have experience and success in closing student equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices, or are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about implementing practices that achieve these goals 6. Believe that all people have the right to an education and work environment free from fear, harassment, or discrimination 7. Are dedicated to addressing issues of social justice 8. Actively seek to disrupt institutional and/or systemic barriers that adversely impact historically marginalized communities 9. Foster students’ potential to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders
The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District is seeking to fill the position of President, Chabot College in Hayward, California.
THE POSITION The President of Chabot College serves as the Chief Executive Officer and reports to the Chancellor of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, a two-college district. The President will be expected to provide strong leadership and advocate for the College in a growing and changing community. The President must demonstrate a high degree of integrity, innovation, and commitment to shared governance and the community.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY The College President is a management position designated by the Board of Trustees of the Chabot – Las Positas Community College District. The President serves as the campus chief executive and reports to the Chancellor. The President shall perform the duties of a community college president as prescribed by the laws of the State of California. In addition to whatever powers and duties are set forth in the Education Code, the president shall have those powers and duties which are delegated to him/her by the Chancellor or Board of Trustees pursuant to Education Code Section 70902, subdivision (d). The President shall execute all powers and duties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the laws of the State of California. The President is charged with institutional leadership and the implementation of Board Policies and Procedures as applicable to the position. The incumbent serves under contract and establishes annual goal, which are approved by the Chancellor.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The College President is responsible for broad decision-making and has administrative authority and leadership responsibility for all aspects of the College programs, including: instructional and student services; supervision and evaluation of all staff; planning and budgeting; technology; outreach and public relations; as well as coordination with the sister college and District Services as delegated by the Chancellor. The Board of Trustees or Chancellor may modify, add and/or delete duties.
APPOINTMENT The President shall be appointed by the Governing Board upon the nomination of the Chancellor and shall serve under the terms of an appropriate administrative contract.
NOTE: This class specification is not necessarily all-inclusive in terms of duties and responsibilities.
This is an executive-level position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and education. The salary includes generous vacation, holidays, health and welfare benefits, and a fringe benefits package. The new President will be expected to assume duties on or about July 2023.
A²MEND WELCOMES EDUCATORS TO GHANA THIS MONTH TO REIMAGINEHOW TO BETTER SERVE AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE COLLEGE STUDENTS
Historic All African Diaspora Education Summit Sept. 19-24 Provides a Purposeful Space for Inspiring Dialogue on Black Student Success
LOS ANGELES – September 9, 2022 – The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization has invited educators and thought leaders to the University of Cape Coast, Ghana to join them at the All African Diaspora Education Summit held September 19-24. This first-ever inaugural summit will create a dynamic, unprecedented space and opportunity for educators to freely and unapologetically reimagine how they teach and serve Black students.
A2MEND comprises African American male educators who voluntarily use their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system by operating mentoring programs for Black male students. A2MEND joined the Obokese Foundation and other partners in co-sponsoring the summit due to their joint belief in the vital importance of African American educators redefining their value system and bringing back to their college campuses the African way of life that is embedded in excellence as exhibited for the many generations of Ghanian culture.
“The All African Diaspora Education Summit aligns with A2MEND’s work of nurturing Black men to succeed in higher education by helping them feel a sense of brotherhood and connection with their ancestral heritage,” said Dr. Amanuel Gebru, President of A2MEND. “We hope our summit serves as a transformational experience that will help educators make an even greater impact on the lives of Black male college students.”
About 600 educators are expected to attend the summit, which will feature globally renowned African centered, liberatory practitioners and scholars. Internationally recognized keynote speakers and facilitators will enable attendees to network and engage in liberatory practices that will ensure deep reflection and create reinvigorated action. Through the summit, the organizers seek to honor the platform of the government of Ghana’s policy initiative of “Beyond the Return.” This policy initiative calls for the global African family to return to Africa to participate in the rebuilding process of connecting to their African-centric ancestry, thus restoring their cultural identity – as heritage awareness has proven to support a Black student’s educational success.
For more information about the All African Diaspora Education Summit, please visit here.
The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A2MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges.
