Alumnus Ronaldo Fisher

 
February 2008
Black History Month Interview

Q&A with Associate Professor and Alumnus Dr. Ronaldo Fisher

Dr. Ronaldo Fisher is a former educational software trainer and escrow officer who graduated from Alliant’s Graduate School of Education (GSOE) in 2007 with a doctorate in education and leadership management.

His dissertation, entitled “Examining the parent participation component of Project SOAR through the perceptions of parents of African American males,” focused on Successful Options for Academic Readiness (SOAR), a project of the California State University, East Bay and the Oakland schools that provides tutoring, counseling and after-school programs to middle-school youth in order to increase their eventual rate of college matriculation. Outside of work, Dr. Fisher mentors students and attends workshops on education gaps for African American males.

Q: How has African and African American history impacted your goals, dreams, success, and life’s mission?

A: African and African American history has definitively impacted my life, as an educator and student. My goals were shaped through the inspiration and passions of George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, W.E.B. Dubois, Ben Carson, Tupac Shakur, Cornel West and the list goes on and on.  My success continues to this day to be impacted by the endeavors and aspirations of past African American males, who have conquered overwhelming odds to seek out their own life success.  My life mission is to serve others, and to empower others to feel that success is written by their beliefs in themselves, and what they wish to contribute to this world. 

Q: Are there people who have influenced your life and your professional work?

A: The several African American male figures that I have mentioned above, have actually provided different influences for me, yet the most important, encouraging, physically powerful figure for me has to be my dad.  Through my life he has always shown me three key points to dealing with obstacles - one being patience, the second being punctuality, and the third, never ever take no as the only answer. Through my father's wisdom and my mother's work ethic, I have really developed a strong sense of what it means to work through adversity, and to work smarter not harder.
 
Q: Have you had experiences of discrimination or injustice? Can you share one?

A: Over my short life I have had instances of injustice that have shaped my life, but not distorted my perception of equality. In many facets of my life, I have not received overt discrimination, but in instances of dealing with local police officers (Fremont, Pleasanton and highway patrol), I have been pulled over because of what I believe was racial profiling. 

Q: What excites you about the work that you do?

A: The work that I do with students is ultimately inspiring to me.  I have now been working with students for four years, and it never ceases to amazing me the obstacles and life misfortunes that some of these students face on a day in, day out basis, yet still are able to come to school and want to learn.

Q: For you, what is the significance of Black History month?

A: What is significant for me is that in the year 2008 we have an African American male presidential candidate that is leading our nation’s desire for change.  To ultimately be possibly the first African American male Democratic presidential candidate in history (possibly the next president of the United States), this is one of the proudest moments I have been a part of in my entire life.  This is Black history at its finest moment!

Q: What advice or messages do you have for today’s African American students (whether elementary, secondary, or college-level)?

A: Success is written by you; others may help you to mold and shape what your idea of success is, but ultimately, hard work, love for your work, and a belief in your work will tell you how successful you really may be. 

Q: What recommendations do you have for Alliant to better promote the success of Black students and to better serve the Black community?

A: Include more Black motivational speakers during the year. Open forums from retired and working professionals in the areas of education, psychology, and business would be nice to inspire current African American students to reach for higher expectations. Yet most importantly, to not only speak with current Alliant students, but to bring in students from the local San Francisco Unified School Districts to see what a private university system can offer. Tours are great, but having the community be sincerely and genuinely invited to annual events would be fantastic!