University seeks forward-thinking candidate
By Pamela DeanIn October, the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees began the search for a new President of 91视频 to succeed Erika D. Beck, Ph.D., who became President of California State University, Northridge in January 2021.
Richard Yao was named 91视频鈥檚 Interim President in November 2020 and is expected to serve in this role through June 30, 2022. He formerly served as 91视频鈥檚 Vice President for Student Affairs. Yao, who identifies as a Chinese Filipino American, is the first person of color to lead the campus.
Lillian Kimbell, Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Joseph Castro selected a presidential search committee made up of community members, trustee members, and 91视频 faculty, staff and students.
Biology and Chemistry double major Sergio Mercado was chosen to be one of two students on the committee. He is the current editor-in-chief of the The CI View, the campus鈥� student newspaper.
鈥淎s a member of The CI View for the past three years, I have had the opportunity to hear a lot of student opinions on who should represent 91视频, and I hope to bring that to the table as a committee member,鈥� Mercado said. 鈥�91视频 is still a young campus, and I want us to find a President who has the right vision and drive to bring 91视频 to its full potential.鈥�
Renee Fuentes, 91视频鈥檚 Title IX Administrative Specialist, is also serving on the search committee. She believes the campus needs a President who is 鈥渁 stable, determined, long-term change-maker.鈥�
鈥淎dditionally, I would hope the new President has a desire to be approachable and visible in and around the entire campus community,鈥� Fuentes said. 鈥淭he foundation for the President must come from a place of transparency.鈥�
鈥�91视频鈥檚 next President has to have a passion for our unique student body, commitment to our four mission pillars, understanding of the role campus plays in our local community, and ability to bridge who we鈥檝e become as a university over these past 20 years with who we need to become over the next 20 plus years,鈥� added Associate Professor of Organizational Communication Jacob Jenkins, Ph.D., who is also a member of the search committee.
Ideas from the broader campus community on the preferred attributes for the next President were gathered at an open forum held in October.
鈥淲e need someone deeply invested in the success of all members of our campus community. Number one is students, of course, but our staff too,鈥� said Jessica Dalton, MS Biology Support Technician and CSUEU Chapter President.
鈥淢any of our staff are graduates of 91视频 and they stay to give back. We need a President who recognizes and honors those contributions.鈥�
The committee is currently reviewing candidates and conducting interviews. The new President is expected to begin in July 2022.
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漏 Fall 2021 / Volume 26 / Number 2 / Biannual