Dr. Safiyyah Forbes
Vice President of Instruction Candidate
Dr. Safiyyah Forbes is an enthusiastic educator with a strong commitment to the development and advancement of students, faculty, classified professionals and administrators. She is an engaging leader with experience and foresight in providing cultural relevant pedagogy. Dr. Forbes is currently the Dean of Science and Mathematics at Chabot College. She previously served as faculty coordinator for the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, co-principal investigator for the National Science Foundation Grant S-STEM and as a full-time chemistry faculty member at Skyline College. During her time at Skyline, Dr. Forbes was one of the brain trust in the development of The Skyline Equity Institute, served as the co-chair for ACED and curriculum committee member.
As the Dean of Science and Math at Chabot College, Dr. Forbes provides leadership over the following departments and program: Mathematics, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy and MESA program. She is currently the Director of the Title III HSI STEM grant, focused on advancing the recruiting, retention and success of Hispanic students within STEM fields. During her tenure at Chabot College, she works collaborative across campus in developing opportunities that ground the work of the college in equity and promote student success through cultural fluency and racial literacy. She chaired the Standard II.A sub-committee and was a member of the ISER Steering Committee, co-chair of the Outcomes and Assessment Committee and serve as a key contributor to other shared governance committee. She also serves as the president of the Black Education Association and a board member of the Village Demands a state-wide coalition working to eradicate Anti-Blackness in higher education. She was a recipient of Chabot Las Positas Chancellor’s Award for her strategic and innovative leadership.
Dr. Forbes has authored or co-authored several scientific papers in high impact scientific journals including Journal of American Chemical Society, and Journal of Organic Chemistry and a few book chapters. She also co-authored training manuals/guidebooks for The Skyline College Equity Institute focusing on critical competencies for student success.
Dr. Forbes holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Long Island University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Kansas State University. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at University of Notre Dame and University of Kansas and was the recipient of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, and National Institute of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship award.
