Dr. Emma Blackthorne

Dr. Emma Blackthorne (Ojibwe Nation, Bad River Band of Chippewa) is a data-informed equity advocate and academic leader committed to transforming how institutions understand and serve their students. As Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Research and Reporting at the Kern Community College District, she leads a talented team that advances equity-centered research, data transparency, and informed decision-making across three colleges. Her leadership has been instrumental in democratizing access to real-time data through interactive Tableau dashboards and fostering a culture of inquiry that connects institutional metrics to the lived experiences of students and communities.

Dr. Blackthorne’s educational path reflects her deep commitment to understanding people, systems, and identity. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and Native studies from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, a Master of Social Work specializing in forensic social work and public administration from Rutgers University, and a PhD in human services from Capella University, where her dissertation—Phenomenology of Two-Spirit Identity—examined identity development among Indigenous and Two-Spirit individuals and communities.

In addition to her district leadership, Dr. Blackthorne teaches anthropology at Yuba College and serves on the board of the Sierra Native Alliance, supporting programs that promote the well-being of Native youth and families. Her career reflects an enduring commitment to educational justice, community empowerment, and inclusive research practices that uplift diverse voices and ways of knowing.