New LaFetra Faculty Bring Expertise in Counseling, Business and Organizational Management

Four new faculty members have joined the University of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education. The new professors cover programs ranging from disciplinary literacy to special education. One will fill the chair position in educational counseling.

“Our new cohort is composed of exceptional leaders who will equip students with the knowledge and skills to become invaluable contributors to the classrooms and communities they serve,” said Dr. Kimberly White-Smith, Dean of the LaFetra College of Education.

Dr. Everett Lovelace will serve as the chair of Educational Counseling and teach courses in organizational management and school-community collaboration. He is passionate about preparing counselors to develop evidence and research-based initiatives in academic institutions. Dr. Lovelace, who comes to the University of La Verne from Fresno Unified School District, has honed the ability to motivate faculty, staff, and students while overseeing an environment of shared governance.

Additional faculty starting at the LaFetra College of Education are:

• Dr. Akida Kissane Long, assistant professor of educational studies. She comes to the university with a distinguished career in teaching and administration from the Los Angeles Unified School District. Dr. Kissane Long plans to republish the book, “Los Angeles: A Children’s History,” during her time at the University of La Verne.

• Dr. Amber Bechard, associate professor of special education, internship and fieldwork coordination. She has worked with the University of Johannesburg and the University of Swaziland to help develop educators in South Africa. Dr. Bechard formerly served as a visiting assistant professor of education at the University of Redlands.

• Dr. Christian Bracho, assistant professor of disciplinary literacy and foundations of education. Dr. Bracho has researched teacher-led social movements in Oaxaca, Mexico, and facilitates teacher training programs in nonviolence education with the Ahimsa Center at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

• Gyasmine George-Williams, assistant professor of educational counseling. She specializes in working with diverse populations. George-Williams has presented research in self-care and student activism at the University of Western Cape in South Africa.