CPP Provost Sylvia A. Alva named CSU Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs
July 6, 2021
Dear Campus Community,
Chancellor Joseph Castro today announced the appointment of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sylvia A. Alva as the California State University’s next Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs. She will leave her position at Cal Poly Pomona on July 30.
We congratulate Dr. Alva on her selection for this important leadership role in the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year university system, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in this new capacity as a CSU campus. As we bid farewell to Dr. Alva, we extend our appreciation for her considerable contributions toward Cal Poly Pomona’s recognition as a national leader in expanding opportunity and the impact that she has had at our university.
Dr. Alva joined Cal Poly Pomona as our provost in 2015 — having previously served in leadership roles at our sister campuses of Fullerton and Northridge — and brought significant experience and commitment to student success and the academic mission. Shortly after her arrival, she led the community-wide initiative to create our Academic Master Plan. Two years in the making, the completed plan builds from our Strategic Plan, articulates our distinct vision for an inclusive polytechnic education, and provides a clear and actionable path towards advancing our academic mission. Under her leadership, Cal Poly Pomona received 10-year re-affirmation of accreditation and commendation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the maximum length of accreditation offered. She instituted data-driven tools and supported evidence-based practices to reinforce our student success and enrollment management efforts and worked in collaboration with campus leadership to advance faculty tenure density and diversity. Several of our marquis programs like the Provost’s Awards for Excellence and the Learn Through Discovery initiative have continued to flourish under her leadership.
On behalf of the entire university, I thank Dr. Alva for years of dedicated service and wish her great success in leading the CSU’s efforts in promoting student success, quality academic programs and faculty excellence.
Following consultation with the Academic Senate and appropriate administrators, I will announce an interim provost. A national search for the permanent incumbent as Cal Poly Pomona’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost will commence this fall.
Sincerely,
Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
President