Black Excellence Transforming Lives: Talisha St. John
For Talisha St. John, leadership begins with faith, family, and roots.
A proud Black woman of faith from Albany, Georgia, and a mother of two sons, ages 9 and 17, Talisha is a two-time graduate of California State University San Marcos (BA in Communication and MA in Sociological Practice). She carries with her the lessons of the South, resilience, discernment, and strength in the face of adversity. Raised in the tradition of Southern hospitality, she learned to lead with respect, humility, and gratitude for those who paved the way. From a young age, she understood that opportunity is not distributed equally, a realization that continues to shape how she leads today.
Before joining CSUSM as an employee, Talisha spent more than a decade in finance and banking. Though successful, she felt called to work that would more directly impact people’s lives. In 2018, she took a leap of faith and joined CSUSM’s Academic Affairs as an Administrative Coordinator in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral & Social Sciences (CHABSS) Dean’s Office. After four years, she transitioned to Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and into Student Affairs, where she now plays a key role in ensuring operations run smoothly in service of students.
As ASI’s Business Operations Analyst, Talisha oversees accounting, compliance, and internal controls, that support the smooth delivery of student programs, services, and leadership opportunities, but her influence extends far beyond operations. She works closely with student employees and is committed to fostering a space where they feel seen and valued. Early on, she noticed there were few Black student employees within ASI and reflected on what that might signal to others considering involvement. She responded by expanding outreach and intentionally encouraging students from underrepresented communities to get involved. For Talisha, the work does not end with hiring; she shares campus resources and professional opportunities, helping students feel confident and connected at CSUSM.
