California State University (CSU) Chancellor Joseph I. Castro today announced the appointment of Sylvia A. Alva, Ph.D., as executive vice chancellor for Academic and
Student Affairs of the California State University. Alva joins the CSU Chancellor's Office and Chancellor Castro's executive team from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where she currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
“I am humbled by this extraordinary opportunity to take a new leadership role with the institution that has given so much to me and my family and to provide similar, life-changing opportunities for all Californians," said Alva. “I welcome new opportunities to engage all members of our statewide campus communities as we collectively work to achieve the university-wide student success goals of Graduation
Initiative 2025."
“As an alumna of the CSU, Dr. Alva understands and embraces the transformative power of a CSU degree, and she possesses extensive knowledge of the university earned through her distinguished service as a professor, dean and provost at three campuses," said Castro. “She brings to the Chancellor's Office a deep understanding of and passion for the success of students from all backgrounds."
In her role as provost at Cal Poly Pomona, Alva leads the strategic and academic direction of the campus' Division of Academic Affairs. She also holds a faculty appointment in the Psychology Department.
Alva began her career in higher education as an assistant professor of child and adolescent development before being promoted to associate professor and professor at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). While at CSUF, she served in a number of administrative roles, starting as the educational equity coordinator for the College of Health and Human Development and culminating as associate vice president for undergraduate programs. She joined California State University, Northridge where she served as dean of the College of Health and Human Development before assuming her current role at Cal Poly Pomona.
Alva is a first-generation college graduate and a product of the CSU, having earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. She earned a master's and Ph.D., both in psychology, from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Alva will assume her new role at the CSU Chancellor's Office on August 2, 2021.
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About the California State University
The California State University is the largest system of four-year higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, 56,000 faculty and staff and 486,000 students. Half of the CSU's students transfer from California community colleges. Created in 1960, the mission of the CSU is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of California. With its commitment to quality, opportunity, and student success, the CSU is renowned for superb teaching, innovative research and for producing job-ready graduates. Each year, the CSU awards nearly than 129,000 degrees. One in every 20 Americans holding a college degree is a graduate of the CSU and our alumni are 3.9 million strong. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU NewsCenter.