It’s a homecoming of sorts for Sylvia A. Alva, a former Cal State Fullerton professor who on Thursday was named CSUF’s interim president.
“Dr. Alva wonderfully embodies the CSU core values of inclusive excellence and educational equity,” said CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester of the appointment. “A product of the CSU who has held numerous academic and administrative roles in our system, she has a profound understanding of and abiding commitment to the students we serve.”
The move comes about three months after current CSUF President Framroze “Fram” Virjee announced his plan to retire at the end of the current academic year.
Alva, Koester said, has an “equity-centered mindset, collaborative nature and student-driven leadership style.” She will begin the role on Aug. 1 and serve in that capacity until the CSU Board of Trustees appoints a new president, according to the news release announcing her appointment.
The release did not say if Alva is a candidate to become CSUF’s full-time president, or when a leader would be selected. Alva could not be reached for comment.
Now overseeing CSU’s Division of Academic and Student Affairs, Alva is a former provost and vice president at Cal Poly Pomona.
Related: Cal State Fullerton President Virjee announces retirement plan
But her higher education career started in 1989, at CSUF, where she was an assistant professor of child and adolescent development. She held several administrative roles, including associate vice president for undergraduate programs, and was ultimately promoted to professor at CSUF. Alva also served as the dean of the College of Health and Human Development for Cal State Northridge.
In the press release, Alva described CSUF as “a bold, transformative university with outstanding faculty, staff and students who understand education’s role in advancing our society, empowering communities and changing lives. I share that Titan spirit and am excited to help advance that…
Read the full article here
