Photo Credit: Michael Craig

 

Dr. Bobby Nakamoto immersed himself in Chabot College’s music program, playing saxophone in the concert band and jazz ensembles. He fondly remembers Frank Sumares - who made students fall in love with music and introduced him to a lifelong bandmate - as well as engaging faculty, like Mr. Frank West (History) and Mr. Murray (Math). However, counselor Joe Kawabura made the deepest impact. As a rare counselor of Japanese descent at the time, Joe helped Bobby channel his interests into an education plan. Years later, Bobby came full circle to work alongside Joe as an academic counselor before Joe retired.

After earning a BA in Human Development from CSU East Bay and an MA in Psychology from CSU Northridge, Bobby worked on civil rights initiatives with the Asian Law Caucus. Working alongside trailblazers, like Ed Lee and Bill Tamayo, he deepened his understanding of his Japanese-American identity and family history regarding WWII internment camps.

Bobby served as a School Psychologist in South Central LA during the 1992 Riots, witnessing the impact of systemic poverty. He initiated school-based service models to provide health and legal aid, earning an Outstanding School Psychologist Award among 400 colleagues. Driven to close equity gaps, he returned to the East Bay to lead restorative justice and SEL initiatives at Berkeley Unified.

He eventually earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from SF State. Today, he is Dean of Social Sciences at Chabot and teaches in the doctoral program at SF State on weekends.

Bobby's advice: Follow your passion and interests, as they align with your values. Also, non-traditional career paths are okay. I didn't know what a Dean was as a student, but now I have the privilege of paying forward guidance received.

Interview Credit: Tomoko Roudebush

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