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Dr. Emma Blackthorne
Regional Board Member, Central Valley South
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Dr. Emma Blackthorne, a citizen of the Ojibwe Nation from the Bad River Band of Chippewa, has called California home since 2010 after relocating from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in Northern Wisconsin. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education research and leadership, with a strong commitment to data-informed decision-making and institutional effectiveness.
As Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Research and Reporting at the Kern Community College District, Dr. Blackthorne leads a team of six researchers focused on evaluating student success metrics, supporting strategic planning, and guiding the district’s response to emerging challenges in higher education. Her work emphasizes actionable research that supports continuous improvement and student-centered outcomes.
In 2009, she was recognized as Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.’s Literacy Advocate of the Year for her leadership in expanding GED and literacy programs to Native populations in correctional facilities across Northern Wisconsin.
Dr. Blackthorne continues to contribute to academic scholarship, with publications including Phenomenology of Two-Spirit Identity: Reservation to Urban Social Landscapes and Venture Humanism: Beyond the Looking Glass. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the intersection between research, policy, and practice, and she remains dedicated to advancing educational access and success across California’s communities.