“Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone's disbelief.”
— August Wilson
Our Team
Dr. Theo Fowles
Dr. Theo Fowles (He/Him) is a two time graduate of the University of Southern California earning his B.A. in the Critical Studies of Cinema and Doctorate of Education at the Rossier School of Education. His research explores how former foster youth use social media at institutions of higher learning. With a broader interest in learning how to integrate entertainment, social media and academics to create leaders inside and outside of the classroom, he is especially focused on supporting students of color-- and his expertise has created pathways in K-12, Higher Education, and Non-Profit spaces.
“Dr. Theo,” as students know him, was born in New York, raised in the Chicago area, and now calls Los Angeles home. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Conference presentations and speaking engagements:
Fowles, T. (2020). “’I Love Love’ and other ideas to get you through college” USC College Access Day. February 14, 2019.
Fowles, T., Christian W. (2019). “Discussing Race and Racism in Campus Workplaces.” Prism Network Webinar. August 14, 2019.
Fowles, T. (2019). “Understanding What You Know: High School to College Transition” USC College Access Day. February 15, 2019.
Fowles, T. (2019). “This Is Me: What Were You Doing at 18?” USC ResEd College Faculty Dinner. January 22, 2019.
Fowles, T. Moderator (2018). #ActivismTour Panel with April Reign, Payton Head, and Beverly Goode.
Fowles, T. (2018). “FosterEdTech: How Foster Care Alumni Use Social Media.” Council of Academic Advisors Conference. Los Angeles, CA: June 6, 2018.
Fowles, T. (2018). “Black Panther Sound Lounge: Behind the Music.” Black Equity Initiative Convening. Los Angeles, CA: May 31, 2018.
Fowles, T. (2018). “Breaking Barriers Regrets Egos Animosity and Doubt: A Black Male Collective.” The International Colloquium of Black Males in Education. Dublin, Ireland: October 25, 2018.
Fowles, T. (2018). “Greater Than: An Identity Develop Workshop for High School Students.” Legacy Conference. Los Angeles, CA: September 19, 2018.
Fowles, T. (2018). “What Will You Decide: The High School to College Transition.” USC College Access Day. Los Angeles, CA: February 9, 2018.
Fowles, T. (2018). “Kendrick Goes to College: A College Success Plan through Lyrics.” Men of Color Empowerment Day. Los Angeles, CA: April 17, 2018.
Fowles, T., Tobey, P., Crispen, P., & Green, A. (2018). Fosteredtech: Exploring How Foster Care Alumni Use Social Media. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/2128153696/
Fowles, T. (2017). “What I learned with My Headphones On: A College Access Playlist.” USC College Access DAy. Los Angeles, CA: February, 2017.
Fowles, T. (2017). High Tech Keeps L.A. Club Tuned In. Better Investing, 66(7), 46–47. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1988024481/
Fowles, T. (2012). To Be Young, Gifted, and D.U.M.B. Message MediaEd Publications: Los Angeles, CA.
Connect with Dr. Fowles
Dr. Jaqui Thomas
Dr. Jacquelynn Thomas (She/Hers) is a skilled student affairs professional with over a decade of experience in various functional areas such as residential life and housing, academic advising, and online student services. Her professional expertise is in using assessment to empower others in higher education to maximize the student experience and departmental effectiveness.
In 2016, Dr. Thomas co-founded an investment club— of which she is the current president. She quickly discovered that there are many people like her (a first-generation college alumna interested in building wealth) who did not learn investing principles from their families or in their formal education. She developed a workshop series for college students and alumni about getting started with investing in today’s economy.
Additionally, Dr. Thomas serves as the co-chair of the Living-Learning Community Work Group for NASPA’s Student Affairs Partnering in Academic Affairs Knowledge Community (SAPAA KC). She is a Gates Millennium Scholar and has received many awards for the service she has provided to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Thomas is a Los Angeles native who enjoys reading biographies of Black, Latinx, and queer-folx, listening to podcasts, as well as staying healthy and active.
Dr. Thomas earned her bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from UC Berkeley, her master’s in Counseling from St. Mary’s College of California, and her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from California Lutheran University.
Conference presentations and speaking engagements:
Thomas, J. and Shook, K. (2019). “Starting from the Middle: Revamping a Living-Learning Community Program” NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Western Regional Conference. Portland, Oregon: November 4, 2019.
Bender, C., Thomas, J., and Jackson, C. (2018). “Creating a Positive Culture & Identity in a ‘Lost’ Place.” NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Western Regional Conference. Sacramento, California: November 11, 2018.
Thomas, J. (2018). “Student Affairs Departmental Assessment.” UCR Residential Life on July 30, 2018. UCR Ethnic and Gender Centers on August 8, 2018.
Komada, N., Thomas, J., Wright, K. (2018). “Serving and Retaining Non-Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Students: Adult, Online, and Graduate Students. “ NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education National Conference. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: March 5, 2018.
Thomas, J. (2018). “Investing for College Students.” UCR Residential Life Geek Week. February 13, 2018.
Thomas, J. (2016). “Engagement and Development of Students in Online Bachelor Degree Programs.” California Lutheran University Festival of Scholars Research Showcase. Thousand Oaks, CA: April 28, 2016.
