CSUSB Names New Dean for College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Cal State San Bernardino has named veteran educator, administrator and author Rafik Mohamed as the dean of the university’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mohamed, who is currently chair of the department of social sciences at Clayton State University, will start his new position in August 2015, said CSUSB Provost Andy Bodman. Mohamed will take over for outgoing dean Jamal Nassar, who will retire at the end of the school year. Nassar has led the college since 2008. “We’re delighted to have Dr. Mohamed join our university and lead the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences,” Bodman said. “Rafik has a substantial record of accomplishment in teaching, research service as a faculty member, in addition to his excellent record as an academic administrator.” “It is a great honor to have been selected as dean of College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at CSUSB, and I am excited by the opportunity to join the college’s wonderful community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” Mohamed said. “Because of the efforts of Dean Nassar and the faculty, the College rests on an excellent foundation. I look forward to continuing their work in serving the broader community, and gaining further distinction as a center of academic excellence and national leader in transforming student lives.” Mohamed has served at Clayton State since July 2009. Prior to that he served as chair and associate professor at the University of San Diego department of sociology and was twice voted outstanding professor of the year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, criminal justice from George Washington University and a master’s in social ecology and a Ph.D. in criminology, law and society, both from the University of California, Irvine. As an undergraduate, Mohamed worked as an intern investigator for the Washington, D.C. Public Defender Service. Prior to beginning graduate studies, he worked as an investigator for private attorneys handling felony criminal defense cases. As a graduate student, Mohamed worked with the Law Offices of Milton C. Grimes during the Rodney G. King police brutality lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. He is the author of “Dorm Room Dealers: Drugs and the Privileges of Race and Class” with Erik D. Fritsvold.