Dr. Edward Bush has over 14 years of experience in higher education with 11 of those years held at the Riverside Community College District. Dr. Bush currently serves as the Vice President of Student Services for Riverside City College. Prior to this appointment he served as the Dean of Student Services for Riverside Community College, Norco Campus. Dr. Bush is also an adjunct instructor for the Graduate School of Education at the University of Redlands where he teaches courses in student development and organizational theory.

Dr. Bush is a founding member of the African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND). He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from University of California Riverside, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino and his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Edward Bush is a published author with articles appearing in: Black Issues in Higher Education, Community College Week, Diverse, Educational Horizons and the Community College Journal. He has also been an invited presenter at four national conferences; including the National Association of Black School Educators, the National Association of African American Studies, the Institute for Race Relations, and the National Convening of Postsecondary Education Support Programs for Former Foster Youth. His academic research has focused on African American male achievement in California Community Colleges, and student leadership development.

Edward currently resides in San Bernardino where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. Dr. Bush is a member of the Truth/Turner Charter School planning committee and the Tehuti Educational Consortium. In addition, Dr. Bush is a licensed minister and serves as an Associate Pastor at Immanuel Praise Fellowship in Rancho Cucamonga. Dr. Bush was recently recognized by the Riverside Chapter of the NAACP with the Drum Major Award in Education at their annual freedom fund dinner.

Dr. Shalamon Duke received his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Community College Administration from the University of Southern California, his master’s degree in Counseling from San Diego State University, his bachelor’s in English from Grambling State University. Dr. Duke is the President of the African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) organization, Vice President of Advancement of On Focus, Inc, and actively involved with various national organizations, such as, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA). Dr. Duke is the CEO of Education Bound Advising Group which assists high school aged youth with admission in colleges/universities and provides education coaching. Additionally, Dr. Duke is co-founder of MyPart Fundraising, LLC.

Dr. Duke is noted for presenting at R.E.S.N.A. International Conference, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, California State University, Northridge International Disability (CSUN), ACCCA Annual Conference, the and American Association of Community Colleges conferences.

Dr. Shalamon Duke has been involved in education for over 10 years in varying capacities; which includes West Los Angeles College, Coastline Community College, Los Angeles City College, the University of Southern California, MiraCosta College, and San Diego State University.

Dr. Duke’s research interests surround issues regarding the retention, persistence, transfer, adjustment, and graduation rates of diverse community college students, such as African Americans, Hispanic American, and other protected populations. Additionally, his research focuses on the course taking patterns of these students and how it may or may not lead towards successful outcomes. And last, how to integrate student learning outcomes (SLO) to ensure the success of students in the community colleges.

Topics:
- African American Male Persistence
- Student Course Taking Patterns
- Disability Legislation and Implementation
- Students with Disabilities
- Workshop Facilitation
- Integration of Student Services and Technology
- Student Transition
- Student Athlete Development and Transition.

Dr. Jones presently serves as the Dean of Counseling and Student Development at Rio Hondo College. He was born in Los Angeles, California; he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Northridge in English (Reading Instruction). He attended California State University Dominguez Hills where he received his Master of Arts degree in Education (Teaching/Curriculum).

At the University of California Los Angeles he attained his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. . He is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and University’s Millennium Leadership Institute Class of 2006. Dr. Jones has been married to his wife, Trish, for 16 years and they have a son (Brandon) and two daughters (Jade and Jennifer).

Patrick Jefferson has worked in several levels of education serving students, families, and their communities. He began his career in education as a high school science teacher and football coach. Since, he has worked in adult education, in community-based organizations and services, and in higher education at the community college and university levels. Currently, he serves as Dean of Student Services at Los Angeles Southwest College.

Dr. Jefferson is very active in his community and speaks regularly about the benefits of education and service. His community service activities include serving as a charter Board member for the Creare Charter School. Mr. Jefferson completed his undergraduate education with a degree in Biology at Xavier University of Louisiana and holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Education Administration from Loyola Marymount University. He completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership at UCLA. Dr. Jefferson is a dedicated husband and father. His hobbies and interests include traveling, outdoor sports, and Harley-Davison motorcycles. His research interests include community college administration and underrepresented student achievement. In addition, Dr. Jefferson is a founding member of the African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND).

Keith Curry is currently the Dean of Student Services at the El Camino Compton Community Educational Center. He has served as a member of the negotiating team, as a senior member of the Provost’s Cabinet, and as Chair of the Student Equity, Matriculation, and Enrollment Management Committees. In addition, he has overseen the development of Student Learning Outcomes and coordinated the program review process for all student service programs at the institution. Prior to his positions at El Camino Compton Community Educational Center, he served as Acting Dean of Student Services at Compton Community College, and at the University of California at Irvine (UCI), as Director of the Early Academic Outreach Program, working to prepare students for academic success at the postsecondary level.

In addition to his work for A²MEND, he is Chairperson of the Compton Unified School District Achieving College Partnership and a member of the Compton Unified School District Foundation, the College Board “A Dream Deferred” Advisory Committee, and the Greater Long Beach Consortium CALSOAP. He has also been actively involved with the Educational Leadership Institute and the Community College Leadership Development Institute. He has presented at numerous conferences, workshops, and symposia. His areas of expertise include preparing students for higher education, bridging the digital divide, establishing partnerships among postsecondary institutions, and ensuring access for all students. Keith Curry earned his Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and is currently completing the requirements for a Doctorate in Education from the University of California at Irvine.

Dr. Dyrell Foster has been a student affairs professional for over 11 years. He currently serves as the Associate Dean, Counseling at Mt. San Antonio College, where he has administrative responsibility for high school outreach, summer bridge programs, learning communities, and other student support services. Previously, Dr. Foster served as the Director of Student Life and has also taught an introductory leadership course at his current institution.

Dr. Foster is also a co-founding member of the African American Male Education and Network Development (A²MEND) organization. He has served as an executive board member for the California Community College Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA), a member of the NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) Region VI Advisory Board, and a member of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA). Dr. Foster received his B.S. in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of California, Davis, his M.S. in Counseling, with a specialization in Student Development in Higher Education from California State University, Long Beach and he earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from the University of Southern California.

Erin Vines serves as Dean of Counseling and Special Services at Solano Community College, located in Fairfield, California. His responsibilities include General Counseling, Transfer Center, Career Center, Umoja Administrator, DSPS, EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs. Before his arrival at Solano Community College, Erin was a high school administrator for seven years, prior to which he served as a counselor, teacher and coach at a California Distinguished School.

Originally from the Bay Area, Erin received his Associates Degree from Reedley Community College where he was a student athlete. His athletic and academic success at RCC earned him a basketball scholarship from California State University, Bakersfield, where he attained his Bachelors of Science Degree in Physical Education and Masters Degree in Education Counseling. Erin received his second Masters Degree in Education Leadership from LaVerne University. Currently, Erin is a doctoral student in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.

Currently, Dr. Byron D Clift Breland serves as the Associate Vice President of the Pacific Coast Campus of Long Beach City College where he is responsible for making sure that the instructional, student services, and administrative operations of the Pacific Coast Campus function effectively. Prior to his current position, Dr. Breland has held administrative positions at Santa Ana College, the University of California, Irvine, University of Southern California, and University of Maryland at College Park.

Dr. Breland has an extensive background working with programs designed to successfully partner with the surrounding campus community – particularly, in urban environments. As such, his work and research efforts have been centered on the provision of services that advise, educate and advocate for students. He finds it imperative to concurrently focus on the implementation of institutional intervention strategies that successfully recruit, retain and graduate traditionally underrepresented students in higher education. Dr. Breland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Economics, and a Master of Science degree in Family Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park. He also has a Master of Science degree in Education and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counseling Psychology, both from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Scott W. Thayer has been an advocate for historically underrepresented students throughout his professional career. Dr. Thayer received his doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Southern California focusing on African American male achievement. He completed his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University in California, his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and his Associate of Arts degree from Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. Currently, Dr. Thayer is the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Pasadena City College. His administrative responsibilities include the following college programs and areas: Associated Students, Student clubs and organizations, the Cross-Cultural Center, Project LEAP (a mentoring program), Student Discipline, Commencement, Athletic Eligibility, the Flea Market, and oversight of the Program for Academic Support Services (PASS), Upward Bound, Math/Science Upward Bound and Talent Search.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Thayer was the Dean of TRIO Programs at Los Angeles Southwest College where he was responsible for administering the federally funded TRIO programs which serviced low-income, first-generation college students in three separate programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services). Dr. Thayer is an established grant writer and has secured over $3.5M in grant funding to assist underrepresented students in their pursuit of a higher education. Scott W. Thayer has been active in professional development organizations such as the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP) where he has served as a regional board member and the southern California chapter President, as well as being involved in committee work within the organization. He is also a member of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA). Scott W. Thayer is a proud father and husband and enjoys spending his free time with his family. Dr. Thayer is a founding member of the African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND).