New president appointed at Cal Poly Pomona

Coley has been named the new president at Cal Poly Pomona.. Cal Poly Pomona By CARLA RIVERA A veteran California State University administrator was named Wednesday as the new preside

New president

appointed at Cal

Poly Pomona

Soraya M Coley has been named the new

president at Cal Poly Pomona (Cal Poly

Pomona)

By CARLA RIVERA

A veteran California State University administrator was named Wednesday as the new president

of Cal Poly Pomona

Soraya M Coley will become the sixth president of the 20,000-student campus, succeeding J Michael Ortiz, who is retiring in December after 12 years as president

She will be the first woman to serve as president at either of Cal State's two polytechnic

campuses, in Pomona and San Luis Obispo

Coley, 63, currently is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cal State Bakersfield

"Cal Poly Pomona is one of the most renowned institutions in the west and has a long and rich history of providing the highest quality education to a highly diverse student population," Coley said in a statement "I'm excited to work alongside the many outstanding faculty and staff and embrace the 'learn-by-doing' philosophy to fulfill the university's unique mission to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and contribute to the region's educational and economic

advancement."

Coley previously was interim vice president for academic advancement at Bakersfield, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Alliant International University, a private, nonprofit San Diego-based institution, a dean in the College of Human Development and Community Services at Cal State Fullerton, and department chair and professor in the human services

department at the Fullerton campus

Officials touted Coley's focus on promoting student opportunities and experience in California's education systems

"As a polytechnic institute, Cal Poly Pomona has a unique mission among CSU campuses and

Dr Coley's experience as a teacher and a leader, and her knowledge of public higher education in

California makes her the right person to lead the institution," said Lou Monville, who is

chairman of the Cal State Board of Trustees and headed the presidential search committee During a press briefing, Coley spoke of applying her "passion" for education to increase access

at the university for students in the fast-growing Inland Empire and Pomona communities

"I understand very directly how important a quality education is to the trajectory of individuals, families and communities," Coley said "So I have worked very hard to promote access and opportunity and to make sure that we help people understand and explore their potential

She continued: "The fact that Pomona is one of the most diverse universities in the nation bodes well for my approach and philosophy of bringing everyone to the table to help support and advance students."

Addressing her position as the first woman to lead the polytechnic campus, Coley stressed the importance of breaking down barriers, both real and perceived At Bakersfield, she worked to secure private funding to expand science, technology, engineering and math programs and outreach to women and minority students

"I stand on the shoulders of men and women who saw in me sometimes something I didn't see in myself and I think I have a responsibility to do that for the next generation," Coley said "At Pomona, we're preparing students for an 'I-can' mind-set."

Coley earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a master's in social planning and social research from Bryn Mawr and a doctorate in social

planning and policy also from Bryn Mawr

She is scheduled to assume her new post by Jan 1 Her salary will be set by trustees at a later date

Twitter: @CarlaRiveraLat

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