Harrel Deshazier III

Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence (Umoja Center)

Deshazier’s office is decorated with Beyonce posters, a pride flag hanging behind their desk, and a cork board with past students' graduation cards. Deshazier has had various advisor and mentor positions, some being with Humboldt Orientation Program (HOP), Retention through Academic Mentoring Program (RAMP) and the Education Opportunity Program (EOP.).

“That's the biggest reward that I get, whenever a student is thanking me for whatever,” Deshazier said. “I never fail to remind them that look, you did the work, I just was supporting you.”

They came to Humboldt from Los Angeles in 2013 and graduated from CPH with a psychology degree in 2017. After graduation, they continued working in programs geared towards students personal and academic success until starting as an academic advisor for the Umoja center in July 2022.

Deshazier encourages students to ask themselves: “What are you missing and how can we provide that?” Deshazier wants their students to be proud of their accomplishments and makes sure of that by reminding students that they did the work. They can help you not just academically but also in personal development and finding a community.

“They use something called intrusive advising which is really going beyond just emailing you, I'm gonna call you, I'm gonna send you a text, if I'm not hearing from you I may show up at your dorm–it's really just about being connected,” Deshazier said.