AASD Staff
AASD Staff
Nzingha Dugas
Director & Academic Coordinator
S. Nzingha Dugas is a 19-year staff member of UC Berkeley in the area of academic student support, multicultural student development, student affairs, undergraduate and graduate student services and development. At Berkeley, she serves as one of the Directors in the Multicultural Student Development Offices in the area of African American Student Development.
In her role as the AASD Director, Nzingha serves as an advisor to students, staff, faculty and the administration regarding the needs and concerns specifically of the Black student community and generally of the multicultural student community through advising, teaching, research and resource opportunities, workshops, presentations, conferencing, and committee work.
Nzingha also serves an academic coordinator for students. As an AC, she facilitates a fall and spring seminar on navigating the university through a multicultural lens, trains students on leadership development and implements several academic, social and cultural retention programs. She follows and monitors 50-75% of the incoming African American class to ensure 1st and 2nd year success.
Her current academic and community efforts include: creating an academic advisory panel to study and increase student retention, establishing faculty, staff and peer mentoring teams for newly enrolled students, and doing multicultural student political awareness training. She is the President of JDOTT—The John D. O'Bryant National Think Tank for Black Professionals in Higher Education—an African American networking organization tied to the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. She has served as a member of the Berkeley Initiative for Leadership Development, sat on dozens of committees and task forces on diversity, and student development and matriculation, and has participated extensively in diversity education and training. Her primary areas of interest and expertise include: coaching, student leadership and development, outreach, retention, and multicultural student coalition building. She has been active in supporting the student voice for 25 years and has been keynote and facilitator for several student leadership programs as well as doing trainings, seminars and workshops focusing on leadership and multicultural student development. She is passionately dedicated to student leadership and empowerment.
Deja Cox
Finance and Office Coordinator
"Hello my name is Deja Cox and I am the finance and office coordinator for the African American Student development office. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and moved to Moreno Valley when I grew a bit older. So basically I am a southern California girl all the way. I am majoring in Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations. My favorite things to do are traveling, cooking, watching movies and T.V., and reading. I am always down to try new things and I love to just explore what the world has to offer and enjoy life. This is just a tad bit about me, but I have to admit that I am pretty complicated person, so if you would like to learn more about me I’m always open for a chat."
Naomi Wilson
Teacher Assistant for AAS 98
“Hey! I'm Naomi Wilson (some call me Nae) I'm a 4th year graduating senior majoring in African American Studies and minoring in Education. I'm from San Diego, CA (area code 619!) and was part of the Afro Floor of Black Diamond. I havealways been interested and passionate about activism especially in the Black community and became even more involved when I helped with the 2010 Blackout at UC Berkeley and co-founded the Black Student Union. I love to sing, dance, cook, and absolutely love shopping. I am so excited to be this year’s Class Assistant and am inspired by Black men and women who defy what society has put as their "limit" and aspire to change the unjust educational system in the U.S. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership after undergraduate school and through my post grad education I will continue to do work for the community that has raised me.”
Mariah Cochran
Program Logistics Coordinator
“My name is Mariah Cochran, and I am a 3rd year American Studies major, with an emphasis on Community Welfare and Public Policy. My interest in the Program Logistics Coordinator position of AASD lies in serving our community and remaining as integrated as possible.”
Fady Shanow
Program Logistics Coordinator
"My name is Fady Shanow, and I am a 2nd year with an intended major in Public Health/Pre-Med. My role in AASD this year lies in planning programs, and ensuring they are as successful, interesting and productive as can be. I aim to help new and incoming students to Cal feel welcome and create programs where their minds are stimulated and they can enjoy themselves. My first year at Cal was enriched with all the various events hosted by AASD, and I hope this year’s agenda can provide an even greater benefit to attendees."
LaTasha Ja'Nay Pollard
Multicultural Center Liaison
“My name's LaTasha Ja'Nay Pollard but most people affectionately call me Tasha. I am in my 4th year here at Cal, majoring in African American Studies. I am one of the African American Student Development Office - Multi-Cultural Center Liaisons and thus I work to help build community and unity across our communities. As well as being a member of AASD I am also a VeVe Clark Scholar, the president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated Beta Psi chapter, the treasurer of the NPHC, and a member of Zawadi. I am honestly one of the coolest people around so don't hesitate to start up a convo! I look forward to meeting you!”
Jimmy Daniel
Multicultural Center Liaison
“Hello, my name is Jimmy Daniel, I am a 2nd year Molecular Toxicology major and I will be humbly serving as your Multicultural Liaison. This will be an excellent year and I am proud to be a part of the 2012-2013 African American Student Development staff. Being a scholar of the Posse foundation and member of the African American Theme Program has helped prepare me for the diversity within the Multicultural and Black community. As your liaison my goals include growing, learning, and adapting experiences from the Multicultural center, while being steadfast in the wants/needs of the Black community in order to make our 4 years at CAL that much more enjoyable. Some of my passions include acting, reading interesting books, and basically anything that calls for spontaneity. Please stop by the office, share some good conversations and great laughs, if there are any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at (323) 459-3228 and Go Bears!!!”
Justin Marschke
Blackboard, Web, and PR Coordinator
“My name is Justin Marschke, and I am a 3rd year majoring in Social Welfare and minoring in Education. My role in AASD involves designing flyers, publicizing events, and helping with the execution of programs. My interest in social & academic retention extends to my role as a Resident Assistant in the Unit 1 Residence Halls. I love serving our diverse communities on and off campus, and I plan to do the same in my career after Cal.”
Morgan Stelly
Program Logistics Coordinator Intern
“Hi! My name is Morgan Stelly and I am the Program Logistics Coordinator Intern for the 2012–2013 school year. My role involves helping coordinate the various activities that the AASD puts on during the school year. My major is Society and Environment with a concentration in Global Environmental Politics. I am also minoring in African American Studies. My favorite hobby is cake decorating. I love the Earth. I'm very passionate about keeping it a beautiful place and living sustainably!”