Nathan Evans & Dilcie Perez smiling in portrait images side by side
Press Release Leadership

California State University Announces New Leaders for Academic and Student Affairs Division

 

 

Nathan Evans & Dilcie Perez smiling in portrait images side by side

​L to R: Nathan Evans and Dilcie Perez

 

California State University (CSU) Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester has appointed Dr. Nathan Evans and Dr. Dilcie Perez as deputy vice chancellors to lead the CSU's Division of Academic and Student Affairs. With the transition of the division's current leader, Dr. Sylvia A. Alva, to serve as interim president of California State University, Fullerton, Evans and Perez will begin in these new roles on August 1, 2023, and will jointly lead the division.

“I am confident that these two leaders will work collaboratively to maintain the positive momentum the division has enjoyed under Dr. Alva's leadership, while guiding ASA through the challenges we face and identifying opportunities that lie ahead," said Koester. “While each will be responsible for oversight of part of the overall portfolio of the division, this partnership will underscore the critical relationship and collaborations between academic affairs and student affairs."

The CSU's Division of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) is focused on providing high-quality educational experiences for California's diverse student body. The nine units within ASA collaborate with partners from the 23 universities to support students as they pursue their academic goals. Among the activities led by the division is the systemwide Graduation Initiative 2025 that has resulted in all-time high graduation rates for CSU students while narrowing equity gaps in degree completion.

“I am excited to partner even more closely with a transformational leader like Dr. Perez to ensure that all students have access to and find success in the high-quality, affordable and life-changing education that the CSU is renowned for," said Evans.

“The 23 universities of the CSU system collectively serve nearly 460,000 students who come from so many different backgrounds and bring with them vastly different lived experiences," said Perez. “This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and innovate with Dr. Evans as we strive to dismantle the status quo in order to reimagine and strengthen the student experience."

Dr. Evans currently serves as associate vice chancellor and chief of staff for ASA. In this role, he has been the principal advisor to ASA's executive vice chancellor on policy development, strategic planning, interdivisional collaboration and organizational development to accomplish division goals and objectives. He serves as the division's primary representative for engagement with California's other higher education systems, legislature and state officials regarding CSU academic and student affairs matters and serves as the senior designee in the EVC's absence.

Dr. Evans has held leadership positions in ASA since 2011 and previously served as interim assistant vice chancellor for Student Academic Services and director of Enrollment Management for the CSU. In those capacities he was responsible for systemwide student academic services, enrollment management, transfer programs and academic advising. He has also served in leadership posts in all three segments of public higher education in California—including San Diego State University, CSU San Marcos, University of California, San Diego and the San Diego Community College District as well as Arizona State University. His leadership spans academic and student affairs across the postsecondary continuum from early outreach and TRiO programs to graduate education. He serves as chair of the California College Guidance Initiative Advisory Board and on California's Intersegmental Coordinating Council Executive Committee.

He earned a doctorate of education from Fresno State University and a master's and baccalaureate degree from Arizona State University. 

Dr. Perez is associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging, and joined the Chancellor's Office in June 2022 with more than 23 years of experience in many facets of student affairs. She formerly served as vice president and assistant superintendent of Student Services for the Cerritos Community College District where she led the restructuring of student services to focus on learning and career pathways to ensure high impact student services and support, co-led the development for The Village (California's first housing facility for students experiencing homelessness), and led the creation of the Falcon's Nest—a comprehensive center focused on addressing student basic needs. Prior to that role, Dr. Perez served as dean of student life and judicial affairs at the MiraCosta Community College District in Oceanside, and for 13 years in a myriad of leadership positions at her alma mater, CSU San Marcos.

Dr. Perez has made a profound impact in a relatively short period of time at the Chancellor's Office. In her current role, she is responsible for Student Affairs, Student Academic Advising, Veterans Affairs, International Programs, Center for Community Engagement, Student Wellness & Basic Needs, as well as Equity & Belonging. She has served as the Chancellor's Office liaison to the CSU campuses' vice presidents of student affairs and the senior diversity officers. She was recently recognized with the California State Student Association's Administrator of the Year award which she will formally receive during the upcoming May meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees.

Dr. Perez holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership from San Diego State University, a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a bachelor's degree in political science from CSU San Marcos. 



About the California State University

The California State University is the largest system of four-year higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, nearly 460,000 students, and 56,000 faculty and staff. Nearly 40 percent of the CSU's undergraduate students transfer from California Community Colleges. The CSU was created in 1960 with a mission of providing 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 130,000 degrees. One in every 20 Americans holding a college degree is a graduate of the CSU and our alumni are 4 million strong. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU NewsCenter.