Rashitta Brown-Elize
Dr. Rashitta Brown-Elize began serving Taft College as Interim Vice President of Student Services in 2025. Her previous service at Taft College includes Higher Education Leader, Student Success Advocate, and Equity and Inclusion Champion. She is a dedicated higher education leader with more than 22 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—struggling in 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.
Prior to Taft College, she served as the Dean of Counseling and Matriculation at Antelope Valley College (AVC) and as a faculty member at California State University, Northridge. At AVC, she oversaw key student support programs, including Counseling Services, Career and Transfer Centers, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), CalWORKs, and TRiO STAR. She focused on strategic leadership to enhance student engagement, streamline counseling services, and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across campus. Dr. Brown-Elize served as the Campus Conduct Officer, overseeing student conduct processes through restorative justice practices and student-centered interventions. Her expertise in student affairs extends to previous roles as Director of EOPS, Coordinator/Advisor of TRIO Student Support Services, and Project Specialist at USC’s Center for Urban Education, where she facilitated equity-driven initiatives across multiple institutions. A passionate educator, she served as a faculty member 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.
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, reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments. She actively engages in professional organizations and initiatives to strengthen student services, academic counseling, 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.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Brown-Elize loves hosting family gatherings and spending time with her two children and her husband. She regularly makes time for her favorite activities, which include roller skating, traveling, and reading.
Dr. Brown-Elize's office is located in Student Services, and her extension is 7810.