Rashida Crutchfield, EdD, MSW

Dr. Rashida Crutchfield is a professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Executive Director of the Center for Equitable Higher Education (CEHE), which is a research organization dedicated to studying and promoting economic, food, and housing justice. She is committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities through research and service. Prior to her work at CSULB, she served on the staff of Covenant House California, a shelter for 18-to-24-year-olds experiencing homelessness. This experience blossomed into a passion to support this student population.

Dr. Crutchfield was a Principal Investigator for the California State University Office of the Chancellor study on food and housing security. Through CEHE, she was also a Principal Investigator of the College Focused Rapid Rehousing Evaluation. Her work, along with the power of the incredible CEHE team, has been instrumental in the development of programs and services for students experiencing housing and food insecurity at all 22 CSU campuses. Her continued research and advocacy on basic needs for students has garnered statewide and national attention. She has provided input on state policy and provides consultation and support to agencies and higher education staff, faculty, and administrators across the nation.

Dr. Crutchfield has authored or co-authored many articles, including “The starving student narrative: How normalizing deprivation reinforces basic need insecurity in higher education”. Co-authored with Drs. Ronald Hallett and Jennifer Maguire, her text Addressing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity in Higher Education: Strategies for Educational Leaders is used as a manual for developing programs and services to support student basic needs throughout the country. She is also a daughter, a sister, a partner, a friend, and a Star Wars nerd.