Dr. Vangie Akridge, PsyD. is an Assistant Professor in the California School of Education at Alliant International University in the Educational Psychology serving the school counseling and school psychology program.
Dr. Akridge has established herself in the field of psychology and education by practicing as a school psychologist and K-12 administrator in a traditional schools, charter schools and virtual learning environments over the past two decades. While she has been teaching graduate level courses in private universities since 2008, she has been part of Alliant International University's core faculty unit since 2015 and has served has both a Program Coordinator and Program Director in the recent past.
Dr. Akridge was a double major at UCLA, receiving her Baccalaureate degree in Psychology and African-American Studies before moving back to San Diego and receiving her Masters of Science and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology. Dr. Akridge is a proud alum of Alliant International University which is where she completed her doctorate of psychology in the educational psychology. Dr. Akridge also possesses a Alcohol and Drug Counseling degree. Her vocational experience has contributed to a vast knowledge in human development, psychological processing, cognition, consultation, group and individual counseling, psychological/educational assessment, special education law, specific learning disabilities, ADHD, emotional disturbances, Autism, low incident disorders, alcohol/substance abuse, dual diagnosis and many other factors that may impair academic progression and social/emotional functioning.
Dr. Akridge has been performing independent educational evaluations, providing consultations and community based workshops, and serving as an expert witness in due process hearings since 2009. Her pleasant demeanor, diverse background, commitment to underserved communities, and vast expertise has made Dr. Akridge one of Southern California's most sought after educational psychologists.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
- Social Justice
- Community Engagement
- Virtual Education & Assessment
- Parental Engagement
- Charter School Education
- Educationally Related Mental Health
- Social Emotional Learning
- Juvenile Diversion
- Credentialed School Psychologist
- Licensed Educational Psychologist
- Licensed Clinical Forensic Counselor
Author of I Am The Expert of My Child Parent Child - Parent Journals and Parent Engagement Movement
Developed the Community Resource Educational Support Team (C.R.E.S.T.) Model as used by Open Heart Leaders, a full mental health and education and wrap around agency based in San Diego, CA
Akridge, V. & Andersen, T. (2022, November). Building Anti-Racist Organizations: Going Beyond Initiatives and Checked Boxes. Charter Schools Development Center Annual Conference. Sacramento; California [Workshop]..
Akridge, V., & Andersen, T. (2023, January). Combating Deprofessionalization: How Women of Color Survive Higher Education. Hawaii International Conference on Education (HICE), Honolulu, HI [Workshop].
Akridge, V. (2023, January 11). Maintaining positive relationships during times of high stress: the administrator-faculty connection. Palm Springs, CA, ASCA Every Child Counts Symposium [Workshop].
Akridge, V., Andersen, T. & Jackson, M. (2023, February 23) Black
Women's Resistance in Higher Education; Black History Month Program [Discussant].
Akridge, V., Andersen, T. & Jackson, M. (2023) Internal Housekeeping: Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces - ASCA Journal Submission
Akridge, V. (2023, October) Empowering Parent Engagement in K-12 Education: Being Seen, Being Heard. Meeting of the Minds Mental Health America San Diego Annual Conference, San Diego, CA [Workshop].