Ishman Anderson, M.A. 

SFSU Doctoral Candidate in the Educational Leadership program at San Francisco State University (SFSU)

Ishman Anderson is a Program Coordinator for Mathematics Engineering Science and Achievement (MESA) at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He is a first generation college student and grew up in West Oakland (2007 McCymonds High School graduate). Ishman has spent over 9 years dedicating himself to guiding underrepresented students in K-12 and at the collegiate level including serving as a Mentor/High School Counselor for the UCLA Vice Provost Initiative for Pre-College Scholars (Crenshaw High School site)nand then as an academic counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) where he started the My Other Brother (M.O.B.) Black male initiative,-aimed at increasing college access and retention for Black males,- currently partnering with CSUEB and Oakland Unified School District and functioning as a student club on CSUEB campus.

Ishman’s research interest includes cultural relevancy, cultural capital, critical race theory, and hip hop pedagogy. His research agenda strives to connect hip hop culture,Tupac Shakur’s construct of T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E,  unity and the impact of authentic faculty/staff relationships on Black male success with a particular interest in the notion of “Black Authenticity” and authentic Black leadership.

Ishman has bachelors from UC Davis in Sociology major and double minor in Education and Chicana/o studies and a master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs from UCLA. Ishman is a current Doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership program at San Francisco State University (SFSU)