J. Luke Wood, Ph.D. (Secretary)

Vice President & Distinguished Professor
San Diego State University

J. Luke Wood, Ph.D. is the Vice President for Student Affairs & Campus Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer at San Diego State University (SDSU). Wood is also the Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Education and a tenured full Professor in the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) at SDSU. He joined SDSU in 2011 and is an active researcher and equity-driven leader. Formerly, Wood served as the Director of the Joint Ph.D. program in Education between San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University and Director of the Ed.D. Program in Community College Leadership. Dr. Wood is also Co-Director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL), a national research and practice center.

Wood’s research focuses on factors affecting the success of boys and men of color education, with a specific focus on community colleges. In particular, his research examines contributors (e.g., social, psychological, academic, environmental, institutional) to positive outcomes. Dr. Wood has delivered over a 1,000 scholarly professional and conference presentations. His research has been featured by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, Huffington Post, Fortune Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, San Francisco Chronicle, and C-SPAN. Dr. Wood has authored over 120 publications, including more than 65 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has authored and edited 14 books, his most recent books include: Supporting men of color in the community college (2017, Wood and Harris III), Teaching boys and young men of color (2016, Wood and Harris III) and Teaching men of color in the community college (2015, Wood, Harris III, and White).

Wood received his PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (Higher Education) and master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education) from Arizona State University (ASU). He also holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership (Student Affairs) and a bachelor’s degree in Black History and Politics from California State University, Sacramento.