Lafayetta (Faye) Hood, Ed.D Email & Phone Number

When I accepted the Student Assistant position with the Department of Residential Life as a college student, honestly just wanting the benefit of free on-campus housing, I never thought it would lead to a career path where I’d find passion and purpose. I have been a higher education professional for nearly a decade. I have earned a graduate and doctoral degree in higher education administration. I am currently the Director of College Counseling & Alumni Support at a private Catholic college-preparatory school that predominately serves students of color from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. My work centers on fostering, nurturing, and maintaining a college-going culture at the school. We take a highly personalized approach to college counseling and ensure that each student, and their family, is supported through the college admissions, financial aid, and enrollment process. Additionally, I have seven years of experience in postsecondary education. I served in multiple leadership positions in the Office of Admissions at Molloy University. My previous roles allowed me the opportunity to guide high school seniors, prospective international, transfer, graduate, and doctoral students through the college admissions process. I worked closely with parents, financial aid officers, school counselors and department chairs to aid students in transitioning to higher education. I planned and coordinated countless recruitment events. I have extensive experience working with a diverse population of students, and their families, to determine an academic path that fits their goals, passions, and interests. One of the most important things to know about me is that I am a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocate! Throughout my doctoral program at Northeastern University, I dedicated myself to researching DEI as it relates to various aspects of the higher education system, especially student engagement and admissions practices. My doctoral dissertation focuses on understanding campus racial climates at Catholic Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) through the lens of the Black student experience. I am dedicated to keeping DEI at the forefront of the conversation in education, whether it be through my research or practice.Throughout my career, providing quality student support has been at the core of my work. My philosophy has always been to never let a student leave my presence feeling misunderstood, defeated or without direction. In my years of working in education, the students have been and will always be my priority.