Ashanti Hands, Ed.D.
Lecturer
Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education
SDSU
Primary Email: [email protected]
Bio
Dr. Ashanti Hands is the 7th president of San Diego Mesa College. She is a student-centered practitioner and disruptor of the status quo with a deep commitment to equity, excellence, inclusion and belonging. Her Why is rooted in love, joy, and creating conditions that matter for students to succeed. Prior to her presidency, Dr. Hands served as the Dean of Student Affairs and Vice President of Student Services at San Diego Mesa College, following a tenure as the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Hands holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in community colleges, as well as a Master of Arts in Education/Multicultural Counseling from San Diego State University. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego.
Dr. Hands has an unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments that empower students from diverse backgrounds to thrive. Central to her leadership philosophy is the belief that every student possesses inherent worthiness and potential and is deserving of opportunities to excel academically and personally. She is guided by a genuine sense of empathy, compassion, and a profound dedication to serving the needs of the student community, in particular those underserved by our system.
Dr. Hands has provided leadership for the college-wide initiative to become the leading college of equity and excellence. Her leadership has launched student equity, guided pathways, Promise, FamilyU and basic needs programs focusing on the minoritized and underserved and is creating space for courageous, purposeful leadership amongst her team.
Dr. Hands' service encompasses both past and present memberships on several boards, including the San Diego Mesa College Foundation, San Diego Jr. Achievement, California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), San Diego Urban League Education and Youth Development Advisory Board, San Diego Youth Services, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, James E. Scott Academy Board and the Nandi Organization, a professional network of women of African ancestry who serve to inspire, support, nurture, mentor, and empower community college women students, faculty, staff, and administrators. She serves as an adjunct professor in the San Diego State University doctoral program in Community College Leadership.