Staff

Dr. White

Dr. Theresa White
Greetings! I'm the founding Director of the Black Scholars Matter (BSM) Program. My goal is to enhance the pipeline of college-going students who are committed to advancing racial equity and Black culture at CSUN, to champion student success through an eco-system of support, and to serve as a staunch advocate for student well-being, activism and empowerment. BSM fosters Black Excellence through a holistic framework, where we prioritize eliminating barriers and empowering student agency by focusing on academic retention, persistence and achievement through an equity lens, in an effort to eliminate equity gaps. The BSM program is open and available to all who are interested in applying, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.

Taylor Walker

Taylor Walker
My name is Taylor, and I am the Program Assistant at BSM. I received my Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Azusa Pacific University. I am currently working towards a Master’s in Public Administration at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Before coming to CSUN, I worked in the non-profit sector, where my primary focus was building connections within marginalized communities in Los Angeles. My goal at CSUN is to support our students, who I believe will make a tangible difference in the future.

Anmol Bajaj

Anmol Bajaj
Hey! My name is Anmol Bajaj. I'm the Videographer and Editor for Black Scholars Matter. I'm an international student from India pursuing my Bachelors in Film Production. I'm excited to showcase the stories and growth of scholars throughout their journey in a creative way.

Hauwa Mohammed
Hello! My name is Anisa, and I’m one of the Student Outreach Ambassadors at BSM. I am working on my Bachelor’s degree in Screenwriting at CSUN’s Cinema and Television Arts Department. I am also the Vice President of the Nigerian Students Association and the Outreach and Tabling lead of the Young Democratic Socialists of America at CSUN. I am always dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring success in Black communities, on and off campus.

Matthias Bigler

Matthias Bigler
Hello there! My name is Matthias (Muh-THY-us) Bigler, and I am the Video and Audio Editor for the Black Scholars Matter docu-series. As a senior film production editing student, I aim to use my technical and creative experience to make all the BSM docu-series and podcasts look and sound as polished as possible! I believe BSM is an important program for fostering student success, so it is important for all of our media to showcase that success.

Tiffany Sabbagh

Tiffany Sabbagh
Hello! My name is Tiffany Sabbagh and I am the Photographer for the Black Scholars Matter program. I am currently majoring in film production program at CSUN, emphasizing in cinematography. Prior to coming to CSUN, I started my own professional photography business photographing timeless and unique weddings, specializing in couples and love stories. My motives here at the BSM program are to inspire and create an aesthetic environment where I can create and take beautiful photos of the peers in the program, and make memories that will last a life time.

Mimi Leinhos

Mimi Leinhos
Hello! My name is Mimi, and I am one of BSM's Peer Mentors. I'm in my third year at CSUN, and I'm pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Africana Studies - Social Sciences. As a Peer Mentor, I work to strengthen and support our Scholars as they make their way through their college journey. In my free time, you can find me in the CSUN library, or out and about trying new food in the valley. I look forward to working with everyone this year!

Joshua Hurst

Joshua Hurst
"Hello everyone! My name is Joshua, and I serve as a Peer Mentor and Student Outreach Ambassador for the Black Scholars Matter (BSM) Program. I am currently pursuing a degree in Cinema and Television Arts at CSUN, with a concentration in documentary production and sound editing. In my role at BSM, I support students by providing mentorship, sharing campus resources, and fostering community among our scholars.

Beyond academics, I am passionate about music, storytelling, and creating spaces where students feel empowered to succeed. My goal at CSUN is to continue uplifting others through mentorship, creativity, and collaboration, and to help build a strong foundation for Black student success, both inside and outside the classroom."