Forward, towards bolder horizons

“When faculty tell me about their research and programs, I ask them what their freedom dream is and from that question, we’re able to think about some of the uninhibited ways we can have social impact and grow something extraordinary.”

When asked what drives her as an educator, Dr. Vajra M. Watson doesn’t hesitate: it’s about beginning with bold possibilities and working towards making them real, something she refers to as “freedom dreaming,” a term coined by Robin D.G. Kelley. 

“It’s used to challenge ourselves to start in a place of radical openness and bolder horizons before taking on a complex problem within higher education and society,” she said. “When faculty tell me about their research and programs, I ask them what their freedom dream is and from that question, we’re able to think about some of the uninhibited ways we can have social impact and grow something extraordinary.”

As the new Naslund Endowed Dean of the School of Education, Watson sees learning as the soul of social change, as faculty prepare the next generation of teachers, leaders, and practitioners who, “don’t just theorize about justice but implement it in our lifetime.”

Bringing more than administrative experience, Watson leads with vision and sees Redlands as a sanctuary for justice, an ecosystem where faculty and students are already engaged in transformative work. Her priority, she said, is to shine a light on that brilliance.

“We have giants in this school who are humble in their impact,” she said. “Celebrating their successes allows us to grow, expand partnerships, and connect with communities in new ways.”

That commitment to educational justice is what drew her to Redlands. A scholar, teacher, and administrator, Watson has built her career on dismantling barriers between universities and the communities they serve, including creating the “Communiversity” framework, which builds pathways between community colleges and four-year universities

Growing up in Berkeley, she immersed herself in Black and Chicano studies, experiences that challenged her to examine her own identity and purpose. Later, mentors at UC Berkeley and Harvard University encouraged her to pursue graduate studies, opening doors she hadn’t known existed.

“Education is a game changer in terms of what we’re learning and also in what we’re teaching,” she said. “I believe that University of Redlands is at an extraordinary moment to grow, and that being able to serve in this capacity of being a Dean in this moment in history, is important.”

Watson also acknowledges the challenges of leading a school of education today—navigating between democratic ideals and restrictive policies around knowledge and access. Yet she insists those very tensions make the work more urgent.

“We are in an era of division,” she said. “That’s why it’s critical to come together, learn together, and create spaces of belonging and healing.”

For future students, her message is both practical and hopeful. Education, she said, offers economic mobility and professional validation, but it also offers something deeper. “No amount of money can match the brilliance that’s unlocked when you discover learning as your love language. That is what changes lives.”

Discover the School of Education at University of Redlands.