John W. Rawlins III

Campus Diversity Officer/Director

John Rawlins III (He/Him/His) serves as Campus Diversity Officer and Director of the UC San Diego Black Resource Center, where he provides visionary leadership advancing equity, belonging, and holistic student success. With 20 years of experience in higher education administration, John is a seasoned Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Student Affairs professional whose career has been marked by deep advocacy for historically marginalized communities—particularly students of African descent—and a steadfast commitment to transformational institutional change.

A native of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, John earned his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and his Master of Arts from The Johns Hopkins University. He joined UC San Diego in 2022 after serving at California State University San Marcos as Director of the Black Student Center and Special Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer within the Office of Inclusive Excellence. His professional journey also includes impactful leadership roles at Ithaca College, The Johns Hopkins University, and the international headquarters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he helped shape national leadership development and training efforts.

John’s passion for student advocacy was cultivated during his undergraduate years through extensive involvement in student organizations, governance bodies, and advisory councils—experiences that laid the foundation for a career rooted in service, mentorship, and community-building. Across institutions, he is known for creating culturally affirming spaces, leading with authenticity, and bridging campus, alumni, and community partnerships to enhance student belonging and success.

Professionally active beyond campus, John holds memberships with NASPA and ASCAP, is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and serves as President Emeritus of the Cornell Black Alumni Association, where he continues to support alumni engagement and institutional advancement through board leadership and service.

In addition to his work in higher education, John is an accomplished recording artist, vocalist and producer. He has performed on national and international stages and has had the honor of sharing the stage with legendary artists including jazz icon Wynton Marsalis and gospel luminary Kirk Franklin—bringing the same passion, discipline, and storytelling to his artistry that defines his leadership.

Tori Bussey-Neal

Associate Director

Jasmine Henderson

Assistant Director 

Jasmine Henderson began her role as the Assistant Director of The Black Resource Center (BRC) in June 2023 during..., where she also served as the emcee for two years in a row. Jasmine is proud to have led the charge to launch UCSD’s first Black Diaspora and African American studies major, marking a significant achievement for the university. She played a key role in organizing UCSD's Sankofa Homecoming, a celebration that honors the deep-rooted traditions of homecoming within the Black community. Jasmine oversees both large and small programmatic initiatives, as well as the BRC Student Success Educator (intern) program. Her leadership style focuses on the personal and professional growth of each student to ensure their success both during and after their time at UCSD. 

With a decade of experience in higher education, Jasmine is deeply committed to student development and achievement. Her passion for student success began as an undergraduate, where she served as a Board of Director in student government on her college campus and held leadership roles as president of several student organizations. These experiences shaped her belief in the transformative power of higher education, and she is dedicated to being a part of that journey for other students. Jasmine is also a first-generation college graduate, having earned both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from San Diego State University (Go Aztecs!).

Outside of her professional work, you may catch Jasmine mentoring underserved youth, helping to foster success and confidence in the next generation.

Fernando Brown

Facilities, Operations, & Events Coordinator 

Fernando Brown (He/Him/His) began as Facilities, Events, and Operations coordinator in September 2023. He is responsible for administrative and programmatic support, which includes day-to-day operations, BRC infrastructure, facilities management, and event coordination.

He has a rich history in operations and facility management. At California State University San Marcos, he served as the Assistant Athletic Director, Operations, where he managed the athletic facilities, game day operations, ticket sales, and equipment inventory for 13 NCAA DII teams. Fenando has also contributied to the day-to-day operations of two NFL organizations; Super Bowl XLV; and Student-Athlete Academic Success programs.

A San Diego native, he graduated with a B.A. in Social Sciences from Cal State University San Marcos and a Master's in Educational Leadership - Student Affairs from San Diego State University. In his role as coordinator Brown emphasizes the importance of aligning the physical space with the center's mission and values. He values creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity, ensuring that all students and the broader UC San Diego community feel represented, respected, and a sense of belonging in the BRC.