Michael Wiafe
Government and Community Relations Fellow, Inland Empire Community Foundation
Michael Wiafe is an African immigrant, advocate, educator, and a policy wonk. He is focusing on improving regional community vital conditions, exploring the intersections of belonging, civic engagement, and other critical policy issues affecting inland southern California at the Inland Empire Community Foundation. His career started as a trailblazing student leader including having served a term as President of the California State Student Association, which represents and advocates on behalf of the largest 4-year student body in the nation at the California State University. Passionate about advancing socioeconomic upward mobility, he is an advocate for inclusive and equitable policymaking strategies for the new generation. Michael formerly hosted PolicyWise podcast with Youth Leadership Institute and is the current host of HigherEd Rewired, the national podcast of the California State University. He has also served on various taskforces, advisory councils, and committees centered on the advancement of young people. These include California’s Higher Education Recovery with Equity Task Force, Young Invincibles’ National Youth Advisory Council, and more. Currently, he serves on the board of the Association of Governing Board’s Council on Student Success and of the California Forward Action Fund.
He and his thoughts and comments have appeared live on television such as CNN, are reflected in written news sources like the LA Times, and has presented at various conferences and gatherings across California. He is an alumnus of the San Diego State University and earned a master’s from the University of California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, where he was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor for his work with Professor Robert Reich. Committed to mentorship and lifelong learning, Michael is continuing his work in higher education as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Redlands.