Rashida M. Crutchfield

Rashida M. Crutchfield, Ed.D., is a Professor at the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach, and serves as Executive Director of The Center for Equitable Higher Education. Her work focuses on addressing student food and housing insecurity as critical barriers to academic success, emphasizing equity for marginalized populations.

Education:

• Bachelor's in Occupational Studies
• Master's in Social Work from Washington University
• Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from CSULB

Research & Advocacy: Crutchfield pioneered the basic needs movement in higher education through research and collaborative policy initiatives across the CSU system and California public institutions. She founded CSULB’s Basic Needs Program (2015) and the Center for Equitable Higher Education (2021), while leading statewide efforts to combat student homelessness.

Leadership & Recognition: Her roles include serving on the President’s Equity and Change Commission and leading the Long Beach community task force on homelessness. Awards include the 2018 CSU Faculty of the Year and the 2024 Humanitarian of the Year Award.