AAFSA Aggie Acknowledgements 2026
The IDEA presents the 2026 AAFSA Aggie Acknowledgements, a space to share the outstanding accomplishments of our faculty and staff. Through Aggie Acknowledgements, the African American Faculty and Staff Associations (AAFSA) at UC Davis invites the community to elevate the community. Read about recently published research, awards, special projects, impactful mentorship, and other impacts.
Leadership and Career Advancements
Faheemah Mustafaa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, UC Davis School of Education
Dr. Faheemah Mustafaa was recently granted tenure and will be promoted to Associate Professor of Education effective July 1, 2026.
Romy Perry-Ali, MSN, RN, PHN, AMB-BC
Care Transition Management, UC Davis Health
We are so proud of Romy Perry-Ali for being appointed to the Advisory Board for the Merritt College Nursing Department.
Sonja Colbert, M.B.A.
Chief Operating Officer, UC Davis Information and Educational Technology
Congratulations to Sonja Colbert on reaching her 20-year anniversary with UC Davis. We thank her for two decades of dedication and service.
Margaret Kemp M.F.A, B.S.
Associate Professor, UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance
Professor Margaret Kemp has demonstrated sustained leadership in championing Black voices on campus through her work at the museum. She designed learning experiences that connected coursework with real-world cultural work, using class visits and student-centered exercises to demystify museums and foster inquiry and belonging for Black students. She also amplified Black artists, writers, and performers through readings, performances, and interdisciplinary programs that modeled cultural institutions as site
Professor Kemp's work reflects a long-term commitment to equity through collaboration, mentorship, and institutional change. She consistently advocates for inclusive planning and ethical engagement, asking whose voices are centered and how cultural spaces can better support Black communities. Her approach emphasizes relationship-building, care, and accountability alongside creative and scholarly excellence. The museum is grateful for her collaborative spirit and generosity in sharing important insight.
Candice Brooks, Ed.D.
Assistant Director, UC Davis Center for the Educational Opportunity Program
Dr. Candice Brooks led the charge in helping UC Davis become a First-Gen Forward campus, demonstrating both vision and persistence in ensuring first-generation students are not only acknowledged, but supported. Her leadership has elevated the university's commitment around equity and belonging. Within EOP Dr. Brooks has been instrumental in strengthening the academic arm of the department. She revised outreach practices to ensure students receive affirming support. She is a connector and well respected.
Dr. Brooks is a rock star. She leads with integrity, compassion, and purpose. EOP would not be the same without her leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to students. She consistently goes above and beyond not for recognition, but because she genuinely believes in the transformative power of education and community.
Dr. Candice Brooks is more than deserving of the AAFSA Aggie Acknowledgements 2026 recognition, and I cannot think of a more fitting individual to honor.
Dannette Hollinger, CPMA, CCS-P
Patient Record Abstractor IV - Subject Matter ExpertHospital and Professional Services, Enterprise Coding Unit | Health Information Management (HIM) Division, University of California Davis Medical Center
1st Acknowledgement: It is with genuine appreciation I nominate Dannette Hollinger. Her work is rooted in purpose. She sees people, she listens, and she takes action in ways that uplift others. Whether she is creating opportunities for connection with leadership or advocating for basic needs with compassion and respect, she consistently demonstrates what it means to lead with both heart and intention. UC Davis Health is stronger because of Dannette Hollinger. Her contributions not only support our employees‚ they inspire them.
I'd like to mention Dannette's dedication to the food lottery program. What may appear on the surface as a logistical effort is, in reality, a powerful act of advocacy and care. Dannette has gone above and beyond in organizing this initiative, ensuring that it runs smoothly and reaches those who need it most. More importantly, she has been a strong and thoughtful advocate in addressing and breaking down biases surrounding food access and need.
2nd Acknowledgement: Dannette Hollinger is highly deserving of recognition for her leadership as AAFSA Chair. She has strengthened community, expanded outreach efforts such as the Holiday Food Giveaway, and fostered meaningful engagement and mentorship. Her work continues to advance our culture of belonging across UC Davis Health. I am grateful for her leadership and for the positive impact she brings to our UCDH community.
Brittany Chambers Butcher, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Human Development & Family Studies, UC Davis Department of Human Ecology
Professor Chambers Butcher should be recognized for her Community Strategies to Advance Reproductive Justice and Equity (CARE) Lab. Along with a team of students, researchers, and community partners, she has led projects such as Supporting Our LAdies to Reduce Stress and prevent preterm birth (SOLARS) study and the Community Racial Equity Training and Evaluation of Current and Future Health Care Clinicians (CREATE) study, all with a goal of improving Black women's care experiences and outcomes. And oh by the way, she also engages in campus leadership by serving as Chair of the Community Development Graduate Group. In this role she has supported and advocated for graduate students, while promoting inclusive excellence by implementing and modeling the Principles of Community.
Bahiyyah Muwwakkil, APHR, CPTM
UC Davis Development and Alumni Relations (DEVAR)
Bahiyyah Muwwakkil exemplifies excellence through her professionalism, care, and integrity. She approaches every task with thoughtfulness and thoroughness, while also creating space for others to feel heard and supported. Her wisdom, compassion, and steady presence make a meaningful difference both professionally and personally. She elevates those around her simply by being who she is, and our workplace is better because of her. Beyond her professional contributions, Bahiyyah has a remarkable ability to foster genuine connection and understanding. She leads with authenticity, emotional intelligence, and quiet confidence, helping create an environment where people feel respected and valued. Her influence extends far beyond day-to-day work, leaving a lasting impression through the consistency of her character and the generosity of her spirit.
Shani Buggs, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine/Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis Centers for Violence Prevention
Patients undergoing treatment for violence related trauma, often experience stigma, and bias during their hospital course. Additionally, they face a number of challenges, directly related to social determinants of health which often lead to a poor experience and even recidivism of injury. Dr. Shani Buggs is co-lead of a team giving voice to many of these patients and their experiences. Her work is building community and improving the way trauma care is delivered in the hospital and after discharge.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Hermanie Lester, M.S.
Business Operations Specialist, UC Davis Temporary Employment Services
Hermanie (Nini) Lester authored AND recently self-published her FIRST book, Unmistakably Yours. I pray you keep writing, keep publishing, and keep staying true to you. Congratulations friend!! I still need my signed hardback copy. ;-) -ToShawne
David Cooke, M.D., F.A.C.S
Physician-in-Chief, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center; Professor and Founding Chief, Division of General Thoracic Surgery; Vice Chair for Faculty Development & Wellness; Director, General Thoracic Surgery Robotics Program; Program Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship
Dr. David Tom Cooke was recognized on the "Legacy & Progress" portrait wall at the UC Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento, an honor celebrating his lasting impact on academic medicine, cancer care, and surgical innovation. The tribute highlights his leadership as Physician-in-Chief of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and his influential career in thoracic surgery.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cooke has championed his vision of providing "equality of great quality" cancer care. His recognition reflects a number of significant achievements, including advancing minimally invasive robotic thoracic surgery, co-founding the global #LCSM (Lung Cancer Social Media) community to improve patient education and engagement, and leading the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center serving inland Northern California.
Dreya Yin, B.A.
Strategic Talent Acquisition Analyst, UC Davis Human Resources
Congratulations to Dreya Yin on receiving the Chancellor’s Achievement Award for Inclusive Excellence. We are proud to celebrate this recognition of her outstanding contributions to creating a more inclusive and welcoming UC Davis community.
Kofi Andoh, Pharm.D., M.S.
Pharmacy Manager – Home Infusion Services, UC Davis Health
Congratulations to Dr. Kofi Andoh on earning a new certification from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Charles Williams, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor within Undergraduate Academic Programs (UAP), UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Charles Williams serves as an academic advisor in the CA&ES Dean's Office and has been a star contributor to the Assessment Workgroup. He took the initiative to learn Microsoft Copilot 365 AI and used it to create a sentiment analysis report from our advising survey data over the last year. This tool helped clean the data, analyze text from student feedback, identify key themes, and generate recommendations. Charles’s outstanding analytical skills will help our team better understand and support students.
Brittany Moore, M.B.A.
Executive Assistant - Supporting the Chair, and Department Leadership, Department of Family and Community Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine
Congratulations to Brittany Moore on completing a 5K event as part of the R&B Running Series. We are proud to celebrate this accomplishment and her commitment to health and wellness.
Nicolás Alberto Dosman, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Teaching, Director of Choirs Undergraduate Advisor, UC Davis Department of Music
The UC Davis Choruses, under the direction of Associate Professor of Teaching Nicolás Alberto Dosman, who also serves as director of the Grammy-nominated Pacific Edge Voices, made their Carnegie Hall debut on June 20, performing Rosephanye Powell's The Cry of Jeremiah. Prior to the New York performance, the choruses presented the same work at the Mondavi Center on May 31. The UC Davis Chamber Singers also performed in a Juneteenth concert at St. Francis Xavier Church in New York alongside other California choral ensembles.
Learn about the Carnegie Hall Concert
Learn about the Mondavi Center Concert
Satyam Saurabh, Doctoral Research Scholar, CFA L3 Candidate
Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science
Satyam Saurabh received the Aggie Well-Being Champion Award in spring 2026 for the exceptional dedication to embedding well-being into the learning environment. The Aggie Well-Being Champion Award recognizes those who take concrete steps to support student well-being by: using policies and practices that promote health, improving access to and awareness of health and well-being resources, centering accessibility and inclusivity in their teaching, and modeling taking care of their own health and well-being.
Satyam has made a significant impact on my transition from high school to college. Chemistry has been one of the most challenging subjects I have faced since starting college, but Satyam's passion for both chemistry and teaching has greatly influenced my learning experience in a positive way. Satyam was also incredibly helpful during office hours. No matter how many questions I had, he always took the time to explain concepts clearly and thoroughly until I fully understood them. What makes Satyam stand out as a TA is not only his strong knowledge of chemistry, but also his kindness, patience, and dedication to helping students learn. He has positively impacted not only my education, but also the experiences of many of my classmates. He is the kind of TA who leaves a lasting impression because of the effort he puts into supporting his students both academically and personally. I truly appreciated the welcoming environment he created because it made me feel comfortable.
Satyam Saurabh is an outstanding mentor who made my transition to UC Davis extremely smooth. Through profound personal guidance, he eliminated the stress of relocation. Satyam also conducted vital yoga and mindfulness sessions that provided deep mental satisfaction, helping me maintain clarity in a rigorous academic environment. His selfless dedication to student wellness is truly exemplary, making him an outstanding candidate who is extremely deserving of this formal recognition. Satyam's outstanding leadership extends far beyond basic peer mentoring. He creates an extremely inclusive, welcoming community for new students, ensuring no one feels isolated during their transition. By independently organizing wellness initiatives and sharing practical campus insights, he fills a critical gap in student support services. His unique ability to combine physical yoga with emotional reassurance makes him an invaluable asset to the UC Davis community.
Chevist Johnson, B.S.
Violence Prevention Professional, Patient Care Services, UC Davis Health Injury and Violence Prevention Program
Chevist Johnson is a violence intervention specialist who has been with the UC Davis Wraparound Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program since its inception in 2018. Going far beyond the defined role of the position, he has set a national standard for violence intervention specialists, educating and influencing not only our institution and community, but many others across the nation. His presentations have also been critical in obtaining external funding that has sustained the program for nearly a decade.
Chevist brings lived experience, as well as nearly two decades of experience working with both victims and perpetrators of violent crime, to deliver trauma-informed, culturally competent, holistic care to patients who have experienced violence-related trauma. His work addresses the social determinants of health associated with violence recidivism. He also builds community by educating healthcare providers about the stigma and bias associated with violent trauma and how we can positively impact the patient experience.
Publications and Presentations
James Aboagye, M.D. Candidate
M.D. Candidate, UC Davis School of Medicine
We are so proud of James Aboagye for presenting his review of stress-reduction interventions for African American youth and adolescents at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.
Zinzi Clemmons, M.F.A.
Associate Professor of English, Director of Creative Writing, Department of English
Professor Zinzi Clemmons published her second book, Freedom: Essays (Viking, 2026). The book was launched on June 9 at Avid Reader. Congratulations, Professor Clemons!
Theanne Griffith, Ph.D.
Congratulations to CAMPOS Scholar Theanne Griffith (Assistant Professor, Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis) and co-authors Mariam Malik, Amanda Guevara, Cyrrus Espino, and Katherine Wilkinson on presenting their abstract, “Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Nav1.1 Is Necessary for Muscle Spindle Afferent Function in Adult Mice,” American Physiology Summit 2026. The sense of body and limb position, or proprioception, is necessary for producing coordinated and balanced movements. Muscle spindle (MS) afferents are responsible for transducing and transmitting muscle stretch information that is necessary for proprioception. Mutations to genes encoding Nav1.1 or Nav1.6 lead to motor movement disorders, and previous studies in our lab have shown that loss of Nav1.1 from birth results in a reduction in the ability of MS afferents to faithfully encode static stretch length. We hypothesized that Nav1.1 is still necessary for proper function after the MS has developed in adult mice.
Theanne Griffith, Crystal Rogers, Gary S. May, Diane Beckles and Aldrin Gomes
Academic publisher Wiley named five UC Davis faculty to its Index of Inspiring Black Scientists, including Theanne Griffith (Assistant Professor, Physiology and Membrane Biology); and Crystal Rogers (Associate Professor, Physiology and Cell Biology). They were in good company along with Chancellor Gary S. May (Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering); Diane Beckles (Professor, Postharvest Integrative Biology Plant Sciences); Aldrin Gomes (Professor, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior and Physiology and Membrane Biology)
AAFSA is thrilled to recognize this talented group of people who endlessly inspire and consistently improve our communities. Congratulations to all!