Dr. Kent Willis is the vice president of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at CSU, Fresno. He oversees employees in the division and student service offices and programs, including enrollment, campus discipline, academic advising, migrant services, student activities and the student unions on campus. Willis received a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Stephen F. Austin State University, a master’s degree in secondary education from East Central University and a Ph.D. in educational management from Hampton University, one of the nation’s prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His dissertation title was “Advancement of college readiness in South Texas: Perspectives on improved outcomes for at-risk students.” Willis’ research interests include college and career readiness, closing achievement gaps, school-based health promotion (wellness) and education policy. At his previous institution at the University of Texas at Tyler, Willis was instrumental in program planning, student development and academic affairs. In addition, he created engaging and transformative educational experiences that inspired lifelong learning, authentic leadership and independent scholarship.

Primavera Arvizu currently serves as Vice President of Student Services at Porterville College and is a central valley native. She has over 20 years of higher education experience including roles such as the Dean of Student Success at Taft College, where she brought student success to the forefront by enhancing systems, removing barriers, and providing learning opportunities. She has worked at other institutions including Bakersfield College and California State University, Bakersfield in categorical programs, financial aid, Admissions and Records, Ronald E. McNair Program, Title V, EOP, Outreach, and other programs. She has led the college’s implementation of Guided Pathways, has served and the Accreditation Officer, has participated on IEPI PRT Teams, has served as a mentor for the ACCCA Mentor Program, has co-chaired strategic planning efforts, is the co-chair for the District EEO Advisory, serves on the State Chancellor’s Office EEO Diversity and Advisory Committee, and continues to focus on students first. She is devoted to advocating for students, paving the way for opportunities, removing barriers, and mentoring those who believe education is not possible.

Dr. Christine Erickson serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University (CSU), Stanislaus.  She is a strategic leader dedicated to access and student success, and throughout her almost thirty-year career in higher education, she has facilitated bridge-building between academic and student affairs to create seamless curricular and co-curricular living and learning environments that foster student success. Erickson earned her Doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania; her dissertation topic was, “Racial and ethnic pluralities at the California State University: Strategies for student success.” Her research and experience prepared her well for her current role; Stan State is her third CSU campus, all of which are designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions.  

Erickson currently serves on the Steering Committee as the Immediate Past Co-chair of the California State University Student Affairs Council made up of the Vice Presidents for Student Affairs at all 23 campuses.  She also chairs the California State University Systemwide Advisory Committee on Services to Students with Disabilities. 

Dr. Charles Nies is the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UC Merced, and has served as interim vice chancellor, associate vice chancellor, dean of students and assistant vice chancellor since joining UC Merced in 2006.  He has responsibility for areas that create an engaged campus life and that foster student learning outside of the classroom.  

Dr. Nies has worked in higher education for more than 25 years in a variety of roles.  He was the dean of students at a small private college, a program director for a minor in leadership studies, and an assistant dean of an interdisciplinary school at a large public university.  

His area of research is leadership and social change.  As an instructor, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in leadership theory, organizational theory, student development, and social identity development.  He has served as a consultant to a number of universities, non-profit organizations, and public agencies.  He is a member of the American Leadership Forum and was appointed by the Governor in February 2018 to the California Student Aid Commission.

Dr. Nies earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas as a double major in psychology and theology.  He received a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology and a doctorate in Educational Leadership/Leadership Theory from Washington State University.

Thomas D. Wallace, Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University, Bakersfield, began his appointment February 15, 2012.  He has held administrative and faculty positions at the University of Mississippi and the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  He is Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Education, Emeritus, at the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Wallace is a noted lecturer and facilitator on topics such as diversity, leadership development and student recruitment and retention.  He served on the Executive Board of Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society, held the position of Mississippi Director for the National Association of School Personnel Administrators (NASPA) for four years and also served as a faculty member for the Mississippi Economic Council’s Leadership Mississippi Program, the country’s second oldest state leadership program.

Dr. Wallace received his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Education Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership all from the University of Mississippi.  He received additional training from the American Association of the State Colleges and Universities’ Millennium Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. and the Harvard University, Institute for Educational Management.