Josolyn Hill, Ed.D. is a native San Diegan and a child of God. God being her center, she is led by her faith, hope, and her love of family to uplift and care for others. She knows she would not be the person she is today without her family and Grace Community Church family.

Hill states that education means to show up and serve.

17 years ago, Dr. Hill found her calling at San Diego City College, an institution with a deep commitment to equity and social justice. As student services supervisor, she oversees the Counseling, Evaluation and Transfer and Career Center.

“School was my safe haven growing up,” said Hill. She and her twin sister graduated from high school a year ahead and earned an early acceptance into the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

While Hill was encouraged by her community and by her sister Rhonda to attend the competitive UC system, she was not exposed to community colleges as an additional option. “I had no idea they existed, my counselor did not talk to us about community college.”

During her time at UCLA, Hill became a wife and a mother and moved back to San Diego, where she continued to pursue studies and start a career in higher education. “Chancellor Emerita Constance Carroll gave me my first opportunity in the community college system. I am forever indebted to her,” she said. Hill became an administrator assistant at San Diego Mesa College in 2001, then under the leadership of Dr. Gerald Perri, who was also instrumental in her first opportunity at Mesa College.

While at Mesa College, she discovered the critical need for academic access. “Community colleges are not just important, they are essential. They give people from all walks of life endless possibilities.”

Like many working students, Hill also enrolled part-time at Mesa College to study business. “When I decided to go back to school, I started slowly. My twin sister, Rosolyn, was my role model as she was taking classes at San Diego Miramar College. She said if I can do it you can too. So I took one Black Studies class on Saturday mornings. Then one class turned into two, and I thought I could do this,” she said. “I would not have taken the job at City College if the college did not continue to support me continuing my education. My colleagues encouraged me with transferring, with scholarships, all the way through earning my doctorate.”

Following four years of service at Mesa College, Hill came to City College in 2005, where she has served students for 17 years. “City College gives you more than second chances. People come here to better their lives,” said Dr. Hill. “Our college president, Dr. Ricky Shabazz, embodies a message that everyone matters.”

She strives to mirror the same support she was given. Josolyn’s family has always been her biggest supporter. As a student services supervisor, Hill outreaches to all employees and scholars at City College and as a Black Excellence mentor, she provides targeted guidance for black, African, African American student populations. “Black Excellence for me is a way to connect with students who look like us, and a responsibility to instill a sense of belonging. Even though you think it is not possible, Black excellence shows us it is possible.”

In addition to being involved at City College, Hill brings the same vision for social justice to her church. Every February, she leads a three-mile fundraiser, “Walk for Life,” which raises money for families who need help covering medical expenses, and/or support victims of senseless violence. Giving back to others runs in the family. Dr. Hill is a mother of three to Roddrick, Jarod, and Rodnesha. Her youngest son, and daughter, both earned their master’s degrees and work in education, and her eldest son is a college graduate who serves in the criminal justice system.

Prior to working for the San Diego Community College District, Hill was an administrative assistant for San Diego State University and the San Diego Unified School District. She earned an associate degree in business administration from Mesa College, a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from Alliant International University, where she also earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management.