Aaron Bruce, Ph.D.
Biography
Dr. Aaron Bruce serves as the Dean of Student Success & Equity at Cuyamaca College, where he leads initiatives designed to advance inclusive excellence, student engagement, and equitable outcomes across the institution. He previously served as the Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President at ArtCenter College of Design, where he focused on professional development, intercultural understanding, social justice, and strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to developing ways of improving campus climate, Dr. Bruce helps strengthen the college’s connection to diverse local and global communities and corporations. His experience in advertising and marketing affords him the creative energy to promote diversity and inclusion across multiple platforms.
He is the former President of the Southern California Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (SCADOHE). A DEI consultant and International Multicultural Institute certified diversity trainer, Dr. Bruce has facilitated numerous professional development seminars in the U.S. and abroad. He has also held management positions in Latin America and Africa. His passion for global understanding has afforded him opportunities to conduct research on management strategies, public health, and education in Cuba, Mexico, and Kenya.
Prior to joining ArtCenter, Dr. Bruce served as the Chief Diversity Officer at San Diego State University for more than a decade, helping the university earn recognition as one of the nation’s top five campuses for study abroad. For ten years, he taught a culturally responsive study-away course in the Dominican Republic. His strategic efforts contributed to significantly closing the achievement gap for underrepresented students.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Michigan State University and earned a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. He holds a master’s degree in International Business Administration from United States International University, and he completed his Ph.D. in Education through the joint Rhode Island College and University of Rhode Island Doctoral Program in Education—becoming the first African American male to hold this distinction. He has participated in the Global Education “Think Tank” at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Dr. Bruce has traveled extensively and remains committed to making global education accessible. He volunteers for numerous organizations and serves on several boards, including the California Global Education Project (CGEP). He is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He lives by the motto: “Awaken the sleep, empower the weak, and guide the strong.”