Hotep Urges Cultural Transformation in Higher Education at Final Equity Talk
At CCSF’s final Equity Talk, Lasana O. Hotep called for deep cultural transformation in higher education, urging institutions to prioritize equity and align professional development with inclusive, student-centered values.
By Qi Mai
Educator and strategist, Lasana O. Hotep, presented the final session of the Equity Talks Series titled, “Culture Eats Professional Development (in Higher Education) for Breakfast: Culture Change vs. Risk Management.” The event was organized by the Office of Student Equity and the Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee.
On April 16, in Harry Britt 140, Dr. Hotep began by critiquing the U.S. government’s role in creating systemic racism in the mid-19th century, which formed harmful cultural traditions. These traditions contributed to the rise of numerous social and political movements in the 1960s and 1970s, and their effects persist to this day.
“Why is it that we can readily imagine growing heart cells in a lab, but not growing empathy for other human beings in our everyday lives?” Hotep asked. The quote was from the book “Imagination: A Manifesto” by Ruha Benjamin. He pointed out that we often shrink when confronted with entrenched inequality and injustice.
Rather than focusing only on structural barriers, Hotep emphasized that in the field of higher education, culture eats professional development for breakfast, meaning culture has more power than training programs when it comes to shaping institutional outcomes.
Hotep called for reformation and transformation of organizational culture, particularly in how equity is prioritized. He pointed out that key aspects of higher education, such as the educational master plan, strategic plan, budgeting and faculty prioritization, guide most institutional decisions. He urged institutions not to address risk management and culture change in isolation.
He outlined several critical components of campus culture change, including strategic planning, executive leadership embracing equity frameworks, inclusion of stakeholder groups, budget alignment, cross-departmental working groups, flex days and professional learning experiences, and integration of student voice.
Hotep stressed that successful culture change must address both its challenges and associated risks, while also creating a more diverse and inclusive campus environment. He emphasized the importance of aligning professional development with institutional culture to ensure they support one another.
Through his talk, Hotep referenced a wide range of sources, from a presentation by Senior Strategist DeAnne Aguirre to elements of popular culture, such as Indian yoga and Japanese karate. He also used data charts and presented questions about the cultural and political shifts of 2025 to help students engage with complex concepts in a relatable way.
At the end of the session, Hotep left the students with two questions: “Does City College foster a culture of success?” and “Who are the members of your success team at City College?”
Erin Thomas, a nursing major, shared how after a recent accident, she received strong support from more than ten peers at the college, including faculty and classmates. Charlie White, a kinesiology major, expressed appreciation for his English classes and teachers, who are a key part of his success team.
