Her Story
About Kevina
Kevina Brown serves as a Part-time Lecturer and Community Relations Specialist at San Jose State University in San Jose, California. She began her tenure there in 2006, initially as Community Relations Coordinator before advancing to her current roles, where she focuses on student success and support as the liaison between the public, campus partners, and students. Brown earned her BA in 1994, her MA in Educational Counseling in 2012, and her EDD in 2024. Her work emphasizes making herself approachable to students, particularly first-generation students, by conducting housing presentations, orientation sessions, and classroom instruction while connecting them with resources across departments. She is a member of ACUHO-I since 2006, NASPA since 2011, the American Counseling Association since 2012, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. Brown also volunteers extensively with the African American Community Service Agency in San Jose and was named to the Power 50 list of Bay Area's most influential change makers in May 2024. She attributes her success to genuinely caring about students and advocating for equitable support within systems that are not designed for universal success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kevina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to genuinely caring about our students and student success. This makes me push beyond barriers, fight for students, and get them the information they need. The system in higher education is not made for everyone to be successful, especially first-generation students, so supporting them when gaps are present is key. I also did my undergrad and grad work here, so it feels good to help in the same capacity I was helped.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I am in a season of placing emphasis on value. I have to keep my value up front and always be thinking about how valuable I am, not only as a person but in the work I do and support I give. Not seeing my value through anyone else's eyes but holding on to my own value and letting that determine the moves I make, as opposed to how I am being perceived externally. It is easy to lose sight of how valuable we are and what we have to offer, and how we want to be treated.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be resilient, keep speaking your mind, keep advocating for yourself. If passed up for promotion, go to HR or talk to the people you need to. Women often see one thing they can't do and pass on opportunities, while men apply based on what they can do. We have to reverse that thinking, take risks, advocate for ourselves, make contacts for a support system, and connect with people in higher positions. We cannot become complacent; we have to keep pushing and fighting for ourselves.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The cost of everything is rising, especially in Silicon Valley with its extreme wealth gap. Students struggle to pay rent while the pace of life stinks and salaries in education are low despite being the most important work. The pay in higher education needs to align better with the product we are pushing out to attract the best, most passionate people. There is also bias where others do not see the value of a Black woman, requiring constant proof, and systems that do not see students as individuals.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
It is important to be seen and heard. Things should be fair and equitable. Justice is key not just in social and academic scenarios but across the board, as we were all created equally and should be treated equally. This is especially important as a Black woman. I am always championing for students and pushing the envelope when systems do not account for individual needs.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.