Dr. Rachael Stewart holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from San Diego State University. She is a student services professional with over 15 years of experience in higher education. Her service and research agenda is centered around organizational leadership, change, policy and practices within education systems. In particular, her research focuses on how these systems foster climates for student success through engagement, retention and post-graduate outcomes. She enjoys connecting with students, listening to their voices and empowering them to accomplish successful academic and career trajectories. 

Dr. Stewart formally served as the department coordinator and programs manager for SDSU’s Educational Leadership Department with the College of Education. She has also served in various SDSU committees such as the staff affairs committee, university senate diversity equity and inclusion committee and the college of education diversity, equity and inclusiom committee.  Her experiences and credentials include, National Jackson Scholar recognition, conference presenter, program director, recruitment and outreach specialist, program and curriculum planning, grant writing and the implementation, management and coordination of a $7 million dollar grant focused on equity-driven leadership. 

Currently, Dr. Stewart is the Charles Bell Faculty Scholar for the BRC where she is the director and faculty advisor of two programs at the Black Resource Center: academic program, Henrietta Goodwin Scholars Programs (HGS & HGS 2.0) and career/professional development program, Harold K. Brown Knowledge Education and Empowerment Program (HB KEEP). She also teaches in SDSU’s leadership degree program. 

She enjoys spending time with her family (husband and three boys), hanging out at the beach, working out (weight training, pilates and bar) and spontaneous adventures.