Experience Matters
Dr. Karen McCord
Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Karen McCord is a retired professor having taught Psychology, Social Science, and Ethnic Studies at Solano Community College (SCC), City College of San Francisco and American River College.
She earned her Doctorate Degree in Psychology, a Master's Degree in Counseling, a Bachelor's Degree in Human Relations and Organizational Behavior, and an Associate Degree in Ethnic Studies. Dr. McCord served on numerous college committees during her career including Basic Skills, Minority Coalition, Academic Success, Equity and Inclusion and Shared Governance. She also served as the Coordinator of Ethnic Studies as well as the Umoja Program Scholars. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Umoja Learning Community and Program at Solano Community College which continues as the gold standard for other colleges.
Requests from across the globe enable Dr. McCord to be a frequent presenter, facilitator, and consultant on issues of Cultural Competency, Sexual Harassment, Women's Empowerment, Civil Rights, Mediation, Conflict Management and Peace, and Non-Violence.
She has served as a consultant to a wide variety of corporations, government agencies, and community-based organizations, at the local and national levels. She has also been the recipient of numerous educational, church, and community awards for service in both academia and the community, including the Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award, NAACP Educator Award, AKA Sorority Community Service Award, Distinguished Faculty Recognition, Teacher of the Year. and A2MEND Leadership Award.
Dr. McCord is the co-author of a book entitled "Transformations: Teen Mothers Journey to Success". She has also written many articles. In 2008 she developed a Civil Rights course that has empowered over hundreds of individuals to obtain the first-hand experience of the civil rights era, through visits to key sites throughout the south and communications with civil rights leaders that were in attendance at the time. Participants return from the journey with knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the Civil Rights Era. It is indeed a life changing experience for all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
Dr. Ella Clark-Tolliver
Dr. Ella Clark-Tolliver is the fourth of four children of a two-parent home. She holds a BA Degree in Psychology, MA degree in Counseling & Mental Health and a PhD in Education.
She is a retired Dean and Counselor from Solano College where she spent over 25 years. She always attested to the fact that she never worked a day in her career-but rather went to a place to share, interact with students and help direct their paths.
In 2000 she became the first African-American female to serve as Dean of Counseling and Disability Services at her College.
In 2013 she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” Lifetime Achievement Award from Solano College where she received acknowledgements from the California State Senate and Assembly; she also received recognition as one of the selected honorees of the Exceptional Woman of Excellence Award presented by the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation.