Safiyyah Forbes, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Safiyyah Forbes is an enthusiastic educator and engaging leader with a demonstrated commitment to advancing the success of students, faculty, and classified professionals. She currently serves as Vice President of Academic Services at Chabot College, where she provides strategic oversight of instructional programs and institutional initiatives, including Dual Enrollment, OER/ZTC, workforce development partnerships. Her leadership is grounded in collaboration and a strong focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Previously, as Dean of Science and Math, she directed the HSI Title III STEM grant that increased persistence and transfer rates for Latinx STEM students. Reflecting her sustained commitment to student achievement and institutional excellence.

Prior to joining Chabot, Dr. Forbes served on the chemistry faculty at both two-year and fouryear institutions and established a strong record of scholarly achievement, with publications in premier journals such as the Journal of the American Chemical Society and the Journal of Organic Chemistry and co-authored a chemistry book chapter. At Skyline College, she coauthored guidebooks for the Skyline College Equity Institute, contributing to the development of critical competencies that advance student success.

Dr. Forbes holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Kansas State University and has received both the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship.