SSH Division Faculty Studio
The Faculty Studio is a dynamic professional development initiative dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging within our Social Sciences and Humanities Division.
Designed exclusively for our faculty, this studio provides a rare opportunity to collaborate with invited experts who support faculty across a range of academic pursuits – including curriculum development, research and publication, personal and professional growth, as well as scholarship and service.
Offered through the Dean’s Office, the Faculty Studio recognizes that our division’s faculty members are not only educators but also community leaders, scholars, activists and change agents. This program empowers faculty members to advance their work, broaden their impact and deepen their engagement.
Participation is flexible, allowing each faculty member to engage with the studio as they choose, driven by their unique goals and aspirations.
Practitioner In Residence
2025-26: Tim Herd
Tim Herd is a doctoral candidate and Wasserman fellow in the Higher Education and Organizational Change (HEOC) program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Herd earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Michigan State University and his Master of Science in Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania. In his role as a creative consultant, Herd partners with different nonprofits and organizations in governance, culture and student success. Some of these organizations have included the Posse Foundation, North Carolina State University and the Equity Research Cooperative. Herd co-founded the Doctoral Student Writing Collective, an organization focused on supporting over 450 historically underrepresented doctoral students in navigating their program, through writing sessions and professional development. He also has launched independent organizations. Herd is also the founder of two organizations, Rising Black Men and the Grosse Pointe Black Alumni Association, and currently serves as the President/CEO of the latter.
Herd's research examines governing boards, race and student success at the K-16 level. At the K-12 level, his research examines the ways that school boards in suburban school districts develop more equitable policies for underrepresented students of color. At the higher education level, he seeks to identify the ways in which university governing boards develop policies, while examining the implications of these policies in the persistence and completion rates of historically underrepresented students.
Previous Practitioners In Residence
2024-25: Daniel Almeida
Dr. Daniel J. Almeida (he/him) is an associate professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo,
specializing in Student Development Theory, Multicultural Counseling and Leadership.
Holding a B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, and a Ph.D, in Urban Education Policy from USC, he brings extensive expertise in career counseling and student affairs.
As a Gallup-certified strengths coach and certified diversity trainer, Dr. Almeida leverages a strengths-based approach in his work, including as principal investigator for NSF-funded initiatives that support diversity in STEM faculty and engineering students. His research focuses on first-generation and community college students, using social network analysis and qualitative methods to explore the impact of social identity and Gallup's "CliftonStrengths."
2023-24: Javette Johnson
Javette Johnson is a United States Army veteran, dedicated public servant and successful
small business owner. With a passion for education and advocacy, she works to support
the U.S. government’s goals by ensuring equitable access to small business opportunities.
Her civil service experience includes federal contracting with the Department of Defense,
Department of the Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Javette’s proudest accomplishment
is being a mother to four children. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
and Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Forensic Science from National University in La
Jolla, California, and advanced degrees in Business and Project Management.
2022-23: Morris Thomas
Dr. Morris Thomas serves as Assistant Provost at Howard University and is the former
Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment (CETLA).
With a strong background in facilitating diverse learning formats, Dr. Thomas is dedicated
to enhancing instructional design and delivery. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education
Administration from Morgan State University, along with advanced degrees in Educational
Policy and Leadership, Instructional Technology Management, and Classical Vocal Performance.
He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Gallup-Certified Strengths
Coach. Dr. Thomas’s research focuses on instructional dynamics, and he is the creator
of the E.N.H.A.N.C.E. Learning Model, which outlines strategies for effective course
design. He authored "Focus: The Missing Factor – A Practical Guide to Accomplishing
Your Goals" and serves on editorial boards for academic journals. A sought-after speaker,
Dr. Thomas frequently presents at conferences and webinars, sharing his insights on
intentional and impactful teaching methods.