Meet the Team

Bahiyyah Muhammad

Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology

Ph.D., Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice

MA, Corrections Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice

BS, Administration of Justice, and a Criminology Certificate from Rutgers University

Email: Bahiyyah.Muhammad@Howard.edu

Research Website: https://www.drmuhammadexperience.com/ 

Publications: https://www.drmuhammadexperience.com/publications 

Department of Sociology and Criminology: https://sociologyandcriminology.howard.edu/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmuhammad_experience/?hl=en 

Mesi Bakari-Walton

Assistant Professor of Spanish and Afro-Latinx Cultures
Department of World Languages & Cultures

Ph.D., Howard University

M.S., Howard University
B.S., Howard University

Email: mesi.e.walton@Howard.edu
University Website: https://profiles.howard.edu/mesi-bakari-walton 

https://mesiwalton.com/ 

Sung Joon Kim

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis (Molecular Biophysics,  Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry)
B.S., Calvin College (Physics, Mathematics)

Email: Sung.Kim@howard.edu

Research Website: https://sites.google.com/view/kim-research-group/home 

Publications: Google Scholar 

Department of Chemistry: https://chemistry.howard.edu/ 

Elisabeth Lucien

Sociology & Criminology

Email: 

Elisabeth is a 4th-year sociology Ph.D. student at Howard University. She also holds a master' degree from the University of Southern California in social work, graduating with honors. Elisabeth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (mental health therapist). In addition, she is energetically dedicated to educating and empowering underserved populations. Elisabeth's research efforts are focused on understanding strength among Black women from a multigenerational perspective. Her personal mission is to be a voice for social justice while motivating others to use their own voice. She supports this mission by facilitating conversations on an individual, community, and national level about cultural trauma, resilience in the black community, and mental health-related topics. Elisabeth has served as a teaching fellow for freshman seminar for 3 years. She enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.

Kashari Henry

Microbiology (PhD program)

Email: 

Kashari Henry is a second-generation HBCU scholar from Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to her education at Howard, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Comparative Women’s Studies from Spelman College. Before graduating in 2022, she served as president of both Afrekete and Gifted Girls of Grace Inc. while becoming a WELS Scholar, interning, and volunteering. During her internship at Emory University, she was named a co-author in later published research. This opportunity sparked her interest in pursuing her Ph.D. in Microbiology and ultimately led to her interest in the microbiome. This summer, she gave back to her community by becoming a First Grade teacher for FAME Inc. STEMulate Change. Through her passion for reaching and giving back, she can’t wait to meet the first-year students at Howard this fall!

Oluwatobi (Tobi) Aderotoye

Chemistry (MS program)

Email: 

Oluwatobi “Tobi” Aderotoye is a first-generation Nigerian-American passionate about science, intercultural education, and advocacy. Growing up between Washington, DC, and Prince George’s County, MD, she developed her value of education and equity for people of color. Entering college, she explored various fields of her passions that focused on creating a more equitable world. During her sophomore year of college, while studying abroad at the University of Ghana when she led her first social campaign against mob or “jungle” justice with the group Ododow – an initiative to allow for proper judicial processes for those accused of crimes rather than public execution at the hands of civilians. Her experience in Ghana shaped her mindset on how she wanted to impact the world.  After earning her bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Political Science, she was selected as a Teach for America Corps Member, where she taught high school chemistry in Memphis, TN, for two years. During this period, Tobi collaborated with local leaders to advocate for more quality educational standards and safer learning environments for the school communities she served. In the classroom, she pushed her students to reach their zenith while connecting them with different opportunities to advocate for themselves and their communities and explore their interests. Upon completing her corps commitment, she returned to Howard University, where she is earning a Master of Science in Chemistry. Her current research focuses on solid lipid nanoparticles and metabolomics, which she aspires to use to allow more people to become more autonomous over their health outcomes. She hopes to combine her love for science and advocacy in a career focused on mixing culturally relevant research, policy, and effective science communication in order to improve our society’s policies and work on life-changing research and creations. 

Tahj Butler

Nutritional Science  (MS program)

Email: 

Tahj Butler is a second-year student pursuing a Masters Degree in Nutritional Science. His research interests are in nutrigenomics and food disparities. During his undergraduate studies, Tahj attended Howard University where he majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and Psychology, and received his Bachelor's degree in 2021. Tahj recently worked closely with Howard’s Graduate School assisting the Georgetown-Howard Center for Medical Humanities and Health Justice. Tahj also worked in the Enrollment Management department at the University and has a strong commitment to the success and education of Howard students. His passions include music, photography and cinematography, and enjoys travel and adventure.

Aicha Kaba

Microbiology (PhD program)

Email: 

Aicha Kaba is a graduate of Michigan State University where she was a Charles Drew Science Scholar and . She is a third year PhD student in the Microbiology department at Howard interested in the field of cancer research. She also obtained her master's degree from Roosevelt University which prompted her to pursue a career in research. She aspires to find the connection between bacteria and cancer.  Aicha enjoys reading and she is a huge fan of music.  She speaks 3 languages, and her favorite food is pasta.

LaToya Parker

Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies (PhD program)

Email: 

LaToya Parker is a PhD candidate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy at Howard University, where she previously earned her Master of Social Work. She completed her undergraduate studies in Political Science at Eastern Michigan University. As a Graduate Research Assistant at Howard University, LaToya co-led instrument development and administration, as well as data analysis. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for the Higher Education Administration & Governance course within the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies program.

LaToya's research focuses on racial economic inequality in higher education, with a particular emphasis on policies affecting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions. Her work has contributed to significant policy discussions, including uncovering funding disparities between HBCU land-grant institutions and their non-HBCU counterparts.

With her extensive experience in research and policy analysis, LaToya has developed expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, regulatory processes, and translating complex findings into actionable policy recommendations. She is passionate about leveraging her research and analytical skills to enhance student learning and contribute to the development of effective higher education policies.

Kiona Byrd

Education Leadership and Policy Studies (EdD program)

Email: 

Kiona Byrd is a fourth-year doctoral student in Education Leadership and Policy Studies. She is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Professionally, Kiona has expertise in policy, external communications, and history education.  Her policy experience resulted in her serving in Congress as an education policy advisor and a policy writer for Atlanta Public Schools. She was inducted into the United Way VIP, a member of Georgia WIN, and has received a Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for her leadership in organizing the Blacks In Tech Policy Conference (BITCon), and was named to the Young Government Leaders Top 40 under 40. Kiona is an alumna of the Stanford University Hollyhock Fellowship, and both the Urban Leaders and Policy and Advocacy Summer Fellowship with Leadership in Educational Equity. A former high school history teacher and Teach For America (TFA) corps member, she hails from Charlotte, NC, and has spent significant time in Atlanta, GA. Kiona is the proud mother of one son, Logan, who aspires to attend Howard University. Her research interest is rooted in perspectives of the use of generative artificial intelligence in classroom instruction for historically marginalized students. She hopes to create equity in education at all levels. 

Jalissa Worthy

School of Social Work (PhD program)

Email: 

Jalissa R. Worthy is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at Howard University School of Social Work. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree from Salisbury University and has over 12 years of experience in public health and education program management. In Somerset County, she managed programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Hygiene Service Administration (SAMHSA) and Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) as an employee of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Before beginning her doctoral studies, she was the Project Director of Shore Way to College, a Maryland Next Generation Scholars Program, which supports high school and college-aged youth experiencing poverty. She began clinical training and practice in 2020. Her research centers on trauma, early childhood adversity and socio-relational outcomes in adulthood.

Kalema Meggs

Department of Communication, Culture, and Media Studies (PhD program)

Email: 

Kalema Elizabeth Meggs is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Department of Communication, Culture, and Media Studies at Howard University. Her research focus is on sports communication with an emphasis on societal and cultural matters amongst athletes of color, and how they are framed within traditional media and digital media platforms. As a former competitive figure skater, and current sports communication researcher and practitioner, Kalema is passionate in advocating for marginalized athletes through scholarship and collaborating with sport industry leaders on shifting stigmas and narratives placed upon athletes of color in addition to highlighting the need for diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunities for female athletes and women in the sports industry. Kalema holds a Master of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Miami, a Master of Science in Communications from Lynn University, and Bachelor of Arts in English from Barry University.

Charleston Yanders

Higher Education Leadership and Policy (PhD program)

Email: 

Charleston Yanders is from Union City, Tennessee and is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies program at Howard University. Charleston obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree and a Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Tennessee. Charleston is a lifelong learner and loves connecting and engaging students to the campus and the community. He has had several roles within students' affairs, just to name a few, he was recently a coordinator for Student Engagement and Housing in Buffalo, NY and a CallmeMister advisor while working at the University of Tennessee. He has also served in other capacities at universities in the athletic department as a women’s tennis coach.  Charleston’s research interest involves Examining the Lived Experiences of LGBTQ+ Students at Southern Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His lifelong goal is to become a Vice President of Diversity, Equity and to start his own consulting businesses for Diversity and Equity.

Tribuana Jones

Higher Education Leadership and Policy (PhD program)

Email: 

Tribuana Jones is a native Chicagoan pursuing a Doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.   Before starting her program at Howard University, she served as a Chicago Public School Teacher for High School students. She graduated with her master’s in teaching with honors at National Louis University in 2020.  Before that, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Family and Child Studies in 2017.  She participated in many clubs, such as the Black Student Union and Opulent Women, during her undergraduate and graduate years.   Internships that served the University included Special Events Intern and Student Engagement Intern—at the same time, having the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs and conduct qualitative research projects on race, the justice system, and religion.  Since starting at Howard University, Tribuana has been deeply invested in K-12 Public Schools, specifically grades 6-12, and their experiences with instruction, social-emotional learning, and educational staff.  Therefore, Tribuana’s research interests are to explore the experiences and perceptions of students and parents of color in Title I schools.  Centering on social-emotional services and the use of faith and religion, or lack thereof, to optimize student resilience. As a first-year teaching fellow, she is eager and zealous to serve undergraduate students by cultivating beneficial skills, habits, and ambitions.   

Nailah Harvey

Education Leadership and Policy (EdD)
School of Education

I’m Nailah, a 10x-published author, third-year doctoral student in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, and professional book editor—mentioned in The New York Times. My goal as a researcher is to close the college entrance exam gap in writing for Black and Brown students. With over 10 years of dedicated writing and teaching experience (in America and South Korea), I’m on a mission to serve minority college students in the U.S. by way of writing literacy.