GSEP Alumna Antija Allen Advances Conversations on Mental Health, Belonging, and Higher Education

For more than two decades, Pepperdine alumna Dr. Antija Allen (MA ’04) has combined psychology, education, and advocacy to strengthen the communities she serves. Now a tenured associate professor, award-winning educator, author, podcast host, and CEO, Allen continues to create opportunities for honest conversations about mental health, belonging, and the experiences of Black faculty members in higher education.

Her latest achievement is an appearance on the TEDxFresno State stage alongside longtime collaborator Justin T. Stewart. In their talk, The power of saying “I’m not OK,” Allen and Stewart examine how greater honesty in everyday conversations can create space for empathy, support, and healing.

The topic reflects a central theme of Allen’s professional work: helping individuals and institutions move beyond silence and build communities in which people feel seen, supported, and valued.

Allen is the CEO of Allen Ivy Prep Consulting and a tenured associate professor of psychology with more than 20 years of experience in higher education. Her dedication to teaching and student success has been recognized with the Roger Crowe Excellence in Teaching Award and the Staff Excellence Award.

She also co-edited and contributed to We’re Not OK: Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies, published by Cambridge University Press. Through research, personal accounts, and practical recommendations, the book examines the professional and personal challenges Black faculty members encounter and offers strategies for strengthening inclusion, retention, and mental well-being in higher education.

The book was recognized as a 2023 Outstanding Academic Title by Choice, a publishing unit of the American Library Association. Its message later expanded into We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing, a podcast co-hosted by Allen and Stewart. Featuring guests from a variety of fields, the podcast explores wellness, belonging, equity, current events, and the role community can play in healing.

Allen’s career has also included research at New York University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Columbia University. She earned degrees from Neumann University, Pepperdine University, and Columbia University Teachers College, where she has served as an adjunct professor.

Allen credits her Pepperdine GSEP education with giving her both the academic foundation and practical preparation needed to begin her career in psychology.

“Pepperdine provided me with the perfect combination of theory and hands-on application,” Allen says. “My professors were not only brilliant, but also supportive. After graduating, I felt fully prepared to embark on a career in psychology—and I did!”

That combination of scholarly knowledge and practical application continues to characterize Allen’s work. Whether she is teaching students, conducting research, advising organizations, producing her podcast, or speaking to a TEDx audience, she encourages people to approach difficult subjects with honesty, empathy, and a commitment to meaningful change.

Allen’s accomplishments reflect the far-reaching influence of a Pepperdine education—and the impact alumni can make when they use their knowledge and experience in service of others.

Watch The power of saying “I’m not OK” | Dr. Antija Allen & Justin T. Stewart | TEDxFresno State on YouTube.