About the Founder Dr. Rafael Class II

My journey from a prison cell to a doctoral hood is not a story about myself; it is a testament to the untapped potential that exists within our most overlooked communities and a call to reconstruct the systems that confine it.

My scholarly and professional practice is fundamentally shaped by a transformative personal journey. As a first-generation scholar who earned a baccalaureate degree while incarcerated, I gained an intimate understanding of the systemic barriers that impede human potential. Education was not just an academic pursuit; it was a lifeline and a lesson in the power of institutional belief. This experience became the crucible for my life's mission: to deconstruct the very systems I navigated and to build substantive pathways to success for those society has marginalized.

My multidisciplinary academic path was a deliberate quest to understand these systems from every angle. I pursued an MBA in Strategic Leadership to master the language of organizational structure and finance. My Master of Science in Real Estate provided a lens into how physical spaces and community development impact equity. A Master of Legal Studies is deepening my expertise in the policies and compliance frameworks that govern our institutions. And my Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration allowed me to synthesize this knowledge into a coherent, actionable framework for change. This was not a scattered education; it was the systematic forging of a toolkit for transformation.

Through years of rigorous research, practice, and reflection, I codified my approach into the Cultural Synergy Framework™, a proprietary, data-driven methodology for organizational transformation detailed in my book, Reconstructing Student Affairs with The Cultural Synergy Framework™. It moves institutions beyond conventional diversity initiatives toward a more profound and sustainable model of inclusive excellence.

The framework is built on several core, actionable concepts:

• Cultural Ecosystems™: We begin by recognizing that every individual is a complex ecosystem of intersecting identities, experiences, and backgrounds. Our framework provides the tools to understand people beyond demographics, appreciating the rich web of influences that shape their perspectives and potential.
  
• Cultural Ecosystem Mapping™: We replace assumptions with analytics. This proprietary, mixed-methods approach allows institutions to visualize their cultural landscape, identifying the true barriers and hidden opportunities for connection, belonging, and growth.
  
• The Synergy Impact Model™: We transform data into action. This model guides the creation of powerful, cross-functional goals, moving departments from siloed efforts to integrated teams that are collectively accountable for measurable improvements in student success and institutional effectiveness.
  
• Viewpoint Fluency™: We cultivate the essential human skill for a diverse world: the capacity to understand, articulate, and respectfully engage with a wide range of perspectives. This becomes the engine of innovation, collaboration, and authentic community building.
  

Our mission is to deconstruct systemic barriers and unlock human potential. We partner with forward-thinking leaders to build campuses that are more equitable, more effective, and more human-centered. This is more than a consulting service; it is a movement to reconstruct student affairs and institutional practice, ensuring that every student has the unwavering support and opportunity to redefine their potential. We believe true excellence is achieved not by managing difference, but by strategically leveraging the power of diverse perspectives for collective achievement.

Join us in building the future of higher education.

Education

• Ed.D., Higher Education Administration: Organizational Leadership – Liberty University (2025)
  
• MSRE, Real Estate – Fordham University (2025)
  
• MLS, Higher Education & NCAA Compliance – Drexel University (In Progress, 2026)
  
• MBA, Strategic Leadership – University of the Southwest (2021)
  
• B.S., Organizational Management – Alliance University (2018)
  

Key Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt – Management & Strategy Institute
  
• Change Management Specialist (CMS) – Management & Strategy Institute
  
• Leader of DEI in Higher Education – University of Michigan
  
• Organizational Leader of DEI – Rice University
  
• Licensed Human Rights Specialist – US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights
  

Key Publications

• Reconstructing Student Affairs with The Cultural Synergy Framework™ (Expected 2025)
  
• "Establishing Effective First-Generation College Student Support Programs: A Framework for Institutional Implementation" (2025)
  
• "The Hidden Burdens of Doctoral Achievement: A Critical Examination of First-Generation Scholar Experiences" (2025)
  

Ready to transform your institution? Let's connect to discuss how the Cultural Synergy Framework™ can unlock the potential within your organization.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rclassii/
• [Book Link coming soon]