Dr. Kidogo Kennedy is the new Director of the Early Entrance Program (EEP) at California State University, Los Angeles. Dr. Kennedy has served as interdisciplinary faculty for the Colleges of Arts and Letters and Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA for over 20 years. In this capacity, she has sought to embolden students to strengthen their academic prowess and deepen their understanding of issues related to social justice, education, and communication. As an instructor of oral communications, she has particularly enjoyed working with EEP students.
Kidogo (Key-doe-go) is a native Angeleno and alumna of Cal State LA, earning both a baccalaureate in speech and a master’s degree in communication studies before completing her doctorate in educational leadership and psychology at the University of Southern California. At USC, Professor Kennedy discovered a passion for building pathways to learning based on student-centered and collaborative approaches. She served as Director of Education for the Greater Crenshaw Educational Partnership (GCEP), where she collaborated with the Crenshaw High School principal, the National Urban League, parents, students, teachers, LAUSD administrators, and community members to reestablish accreditation and pioneer new learning communities for the school. Additionally, as founder and CEO of her consulting firm, The Kennedy Approach, she utilizes her methods of instruction to support K-12 students and collegiate athletes by helping them with learning and motivation strategies. She also assists corporate professionals in deepening their awareness of matters related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA).
As an alumna of the University, Dr. Kennedy is devoted to her place in this campus community and is no stranger to the benefits of belonging. As a student, she was also a single mother raising a gifted child, who is now a flourishing sculptor and painter (@sillyshilli). As such, she understands the importance of viewing the acquisition of intelligence as a journey, and she welcomes the opportunity to help each EEP student harness their unique gifts to reach their full potential. According to Dr. Kennedy’s philosophy of learning, there can be no uniform approach to cultivating knowledge. She is committed to nurturing the human potential she encounters at California State University, Los Angeles.
Dr. Kennedy began her service as EEP Director on June 1, 2023.