Latoyya Pleasant (she/her)
Director for Community Advocacy; Lebròn-Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center
Latoyya Pleasant (she/her) serves as the Director for Community Advocacy at Hampshire College, where she provides strategic leadership for the Lébron-Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center and S.O.U.R.C.E. (Students of Underrepresented Cultures & Ethnicities). In this role, she advances culturally grounded student support, community empowerment, and justice-centered programming that uplifts historically marginalized voices across campus.
A graduate of Westfield State University with a bachelor’s degree in ethnic & gender studies and communications, Latoyya began her career in Springfield Public Schools and in her home community, where she led outreach initiatives focused on youth empowerment, identity development, and educational access. She later earned her master’s degree in higher education administration and leadership from Bay Path University, strengthening her expertise in organizational leadership, student engagement, and equity-centered institutional practices.
Latoyya is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership, deepening her research on equity-driven student engagement, community-building frameworks, and institutional practices that support student thriving. Her work at Hampshire is informed by a commitment to operational excellence, restorative leadership, and meaningful collaboration across departments.
With a passion for advocacy, wellness, and culturally responsive education, Latoyya strives to create learning environments where students feel seen, supported, and connected to the resources they need to flourish. She is dedicated to elevating conversations about social justice through a cultural lens that centers lived experience, well-being, and intersectional identity.
Outside of her professional life, Latoyya finds joy in traveling, spending time with family and friends, and surrounding herself with spaces full of genuine, positive energy. She leads with compassion, clarity, and intention—guided by a lifelong mission to foster peace, understanding, and authentic community.