Dr. Jerell Hill

About

Dr. Jerell Hill, Ed.D.

Dr. Jerell Hill is currently the Dean of Counseling and Guided Pathways at L.A. City College. He was previously the Dean of the School of Human Development and Education, bringing over 25 years of educational experience and leadership. A passionate advocate for educational justice and equity, Dr. Hill combines scholarly expertise with extensive practical experience to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

His academic research focuses on teacher preparation, research-practice partnerships, and academic achievement, with additional expertise in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), student motivation, educational administration, special education, and urban education.

Dr. Hill’s comprehensive career spans classroom teaching in special education and secondary settings, principalship, district administration, and assistant superintendency before transitioning to higher education.

Education & Credentials

Ed.D., Educational Leadership

Taft University, 2018
Dissertation: “Adverse Childhood Experiences: A School Leadership Crisis”

M.A., Special Education

Point Loma Nazarene University, 2009

M.A., Curriculum and Instruction

University of Phoenix, 2004

B.A., Political Science

University of California, Irvine, 2000
Minor in African-American Studies

Education & Credentials

  • Dean of Counseling and Guided Pathways, LA City College
  • Co-Interim VP of Academic Affairs, Pacific Oaks College
  • Led efforts securing unprecedented 10-year accreditation at Pacific Oaks College
  • Over $5M+ in secured education funding and grants
  • Deans for Impact Fellowship Cohort 2022-23
  • California Education Policy Fellow Program Cohort 2022-23
  • Cornell University Executive Leadership Certificate
  • Maxwell Leadership Certified Behavior Analysis Certificate
  • Congressional Order of Merit (NRCC, 2007)
  • National Leadership Award (Business Advisory Council, 2006)
  • Department of State Endorsement, published in the Wall Street Journal (2006)
  • Teacher of the Year, Workability I Program (2009)

Education & Credentials

  • Developing Conscious Gratitude in Schools (2026) — Book
  • Permission to Succeed — Chapter in Practical Social Justice (Routledge, 2022)
  • Pivot of Pedagogy: How MSIs Adapted to COVID-19 — Journal of Practical Studies (2023)
  • Culture and Conversation: Rethinking Brown v. Board — Journal of Education and Learning (2021)
  • Activating Culturally Empathic Motivation in Diverse Students (2020)
  • Teaching with Purpose: ACEs Aware, Healing-Informed — ACEs Connection (2020)

Professional Memberships

  • Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena
  • 100 Black Men of Los Angeles
  • American Educational Research Association (AERA)
  • California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators
  • National Coalition on Education Equity — Advisory Board Member
  • Council for Exceptional Children