Umoja Center Staff

Professional Staff

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Program Coordinator

Alexus-Harrelle Deshazier (she/her)

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, CA, Alexus-Harrelle began her journey at Cal Poly Humboldt as a first-time freshman in 2013. Majoring in Psychology, she took up a particular interest in Human Development and applied her knowledge to her career development, working in Higher Education Support Programs on campus such as RAMP (Retention thru Academic Mentoring Program) and EOP/SSS (Educational Opportunity Program and Student Support Services). Upon graduating in 2017, Alexus continued her work in Higher Education, working for TRIO Upward Bound Summer Academy and TRIO Educational Talent Search until 2022. Starting in the Summer of 2022, she began working for the Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence as the Academic Advisor. While supporting the growth of the Umoja Center's academic support for Black students using culturally-informed advising practices, she was promoted to Program Coordinator in the Fall of 2024. As Coordinator, she advances the vision of Black Student Success at Cal Poly Humboldt through leading and orchestrating successful programs and services that are grounded in cultural reverence and awareness.

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Academic Advisor

Travis A. Richards, Ed.D (he/him)

Nassau, Bahamas-born, first-generation scholar, and academic insurgent. Dr. Richards traded palm trees for protest signs, transforming a personal journey into a doctorate weaponized for educational justice.
At the Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence, Dr. T. leverages his research on systemic inequity to mentor and champion Humboldt’s student activists and scholars. He specializes in translating complex, oppressive systems into actionable strategies, ensuring students are not just academically successful, but are equipped to challenge and reshape the structures around them. His approach blends rigorous scholarship with unapologetic advocacy turning ivory tower theory into tools for liberation.