RP Conference 2026
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Rashitta Brown-Elize
Interim Vice President of Student Services
Taft College
Dr. Rashitta Brown-Elize is a dedicated higher education leader with over 23 years of experience in leadership, program development, and institutional transformation. A low-income, first-generation college graduate, Dr. Brown-Elize understands firsthand the transformative power of education. Her passion for higher education is deeply rooted in her own journey being kicked out of college her freshmen year, then returning with the support of mentors to not only graduate but earn a doctorate. She is devoted to paying that guidance forward in her work every day. Passionate about student success, equity, and inclusion, she has worked extensively to improve access, retention, and outcomes for historically underserved students.
Dr. Rashitta Brown-Elize is a dedicated higher education leader with over 23 years of experience in leadership, program development, and institutional transformation. A low-income, first-generation college graduate, Dr. Brown-Elize understands firsthand the transformative power of education. Her passion for higher education is deeply rooted in her own journey being kicked out of college her freshmen year, then returning with the support of mentors to not only graduate but earn a doctorate. She is devoted to paying that guidance forward in her work every day. Passionate about student success, equity, and inclusion, she has worked extensively to improve access, retention, and outcomes for historically underserved students.
Dr. Brown-Elize currently serves as the Interim Vice President of Student Services at Taft College. She has previously held several leadership roles at Antelope Valley College, including Dean of Counseling and Matriculation and Director of Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS). She also served in interim leadership roles as Interim Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), Interim Director of CalWORKs, and Interim Director of TRiO STAR Student Support Services Program. Throughout her career, she has provided strategic leadership focused on strengthening student engagement, streamlining counseling and support services, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across campus.
Dr. Brown-Elize holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Higher Education) from the University of Southern California, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Northridge. Her research, Increasing Equity for Students of Color Through Practitioner Accountability, conducted with USC’s Center for Urban Education, reflects her strong commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments.
A passionate educator, Dr. Brown-Elize has served as faculty at California State University, Northridge, teaching graduate courses in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, as well as in the Educational Opportunity Program’s (EOP) Residential and Commuter Bridge Programs. She actively engages in professional organizations and initiatives to strengthen student services and institutional equity.
Dr. Brown-Elize remains committed to shaping policies and practices that empower students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, to achieve academic and career success. While dedicated to student advocacy, she also champions self-care and wellness as essential for higher education professionals to sustain their ability to serve students effectively.
Speaker Type
Conference Year
Leia Yen
Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder, Global Community College Transfers Doctoral Candidate, University of Southern California
Dr. Dawn Lee
Director of Professional and Organizational Development, De Anza College
P. Marcell Gilmore
Educational Research Assessment Analyst, Mt San Antonio College
Dr. Aisha Lowe
Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Supports, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Ginny May
Professor of Math and Statistics, Sacramento City College
Vice President, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges
Craig Rutan
Professor of Physics and Academic Senate President, Santiago Canyon College
Dr. Denice Inciong
Visiting Dean of Research and Data Analytics | California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Dr. Gary Hsin
Chief of Palliative Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Stanford University
Dr. Martín De Mucha Flores
Associate Dean of Educational Success, Student Equity, and Achievement Programs, Berkeley City College
Dr. Melissa Leal
Instructor / Tribal Liason and Wonoti Program Coordinator, Sierra College
Dr. Mayra Padilla
Dean of Institutional Effectiveness & Equity, Contra Costa College
Nader Twal
Program Administrator for innovative Professional Development (iPD) in the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development of Long Beach Unified School District
Dr. Darla Cooper
Interim Executive Director of the RP GroupDirector of Research and Evaluation
Robert (Bob) Daly
California Association for Institutional Research (CAIR) Board Member and Former CAIR President
J. Luke Wood, PhD
Associate Professor of Community College Leadership and the Director of the Doctoral Program Concentration in Community College Leadership at San Diego State University (SDSU)
Dr. Frank Harris, III
Associate Professor: Postsecondary Education, Co-Director: Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3), San Diego State University
