Angela M. Locks

Dr. Angela M. Locks is a Professor and Department Chair in Educational Leadership at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), within the College of Education. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Evaluation & Educational Effectiveness. Her career spans nearly three decades in higher education, with 16 years at CSULB, where she has held leadership roles in diversity, equity, and inclusion, including Executive Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Academic Affairs (2020–2024), and founding roles in undergraduate research programs.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Higher Education (Diversity & Governance), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• M.A. in Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• B.A. in Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Her research centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, with a focus on college access, retention, campus climate, and the experiences of racially and ethnically underrepresented students. She examines how institutional policies and practices affect student outcomes, particularly through intergroup dialogue, high-impact practices, and diversity programming. Her work emphasizes the holistic development of students and the role of equity-mindedness in educational leadership.

The recent publications and edited volumes highlight a sustained focus on debunking deficit narratives (e.g., 'grit'), supporting Students of Color, and understanding the structural barriers faced by Latina/o, African American, and first-generation students. Her research bridges theory and practice, often involving longitudinal and qualitative studies that inform institutional strategies for inclusion and retention.

Scientific Awards:

• 2021 Wang Family Excellence Award Outstanding Faculty Service Nominee, CSULB
• 2014 Outstanding Faculty Mentor for Student Engagement in Research, CSULB Academic Affairs
• 2014 Most Valuable Professor, College of Education, CSULB Alumni Association

Dr. Locks has supervised 18 doctoral dissertations and 23 master’s theses, demonstrating a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars. She led the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (2017–2024) and founded the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, securing external funding and institutional support for student research. Her leadership extends to national initiatives, including serving as principal investigator for the Truth, Racial, Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center with AAC&U.

She is actively involved in research centers and programs at CSULB, including the Center for Evaluation & Educational Effectiveness and the Office of Undergraduate Research Services. Her work continues to shape institutional practices around diversity, equity, and student success through research, policy engagement, and community collaboration.