Luke Wood, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity
Chief Diversity Officer

J. Luke Wood, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Professor of Education at San Diego State University. Wood’s research and practice agenda focuses on advancing diversification and equity initiatives at schools, colleges, and universities. He has delivered over 3,000 scholarly and conference presentations and has authored over 180 publications, including 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and 16 books. His most recent books include "Black Minds Matter: Realizing the Brilliance, Dignity, and Morality of Black Males in Education," "Teaching Boys and Young Men of Color" (with Frank Harris III) and "Advancing Black Male Success from Preschool to Ph.D." (with Shaun Harper). 

Dr. Wood has been regularly sought out for his expertise by media outlets such as the New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, Huffington Post, Fortune Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, San Francisco Chronicle and C-SPAN. 

Dr. Wood is not only ranked No. 48 by Education Week, In 2023, Dr. Wood was ranked nationally among most influential education scholars by RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings: 200 U.S. university-based scholars who shape educational practice and policy. The list represents the top 1% of influential education scholars in the nation from a field of over 20,000. 

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

Aniesha Mitchell, J.D.
Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity,

Aniesha Mitchell, J.D., serves as the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, Chief of Divisional Operations, and Deputy Chief Diversity Officer. In this role, Mitchell is the lead executive officer in the Division, providing leadership to the following subdivisions: Campus Community Affairs; Community & Belonging; Community Standards, Health and Accessibility; Divisional Management Initiatives; Faculty & Staff Diversity; HSI & Regional Affairs; Outreach and Success; and Strategic Initiatives. Mitchell also provides guidance to the areas of Campus Life and Finance and Operations.

Mitchell has over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration in the areas of enrollment management, retention, conflict resolution, and student conduct. Mitchell is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, student rights, and ensuring that students experience fair and equitable processes that respect their dignity as humans. 

Prior to joining SDSU, she has worked at the University of Cincinnati, University of Mississippi, University of Michigan, and Oakland University. Mitchell earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Oakland University and a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.