​Sylvia A. Alva was appointed interim president of Cal State Fullerton in April 2023.

Alva previously served as the California State University's executive vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, where she oversaw the systemwide Graduation Initiative 2025 that has led to all-time-high graduation rates for students of all backgrounds while narrowing equity gaps in degree completion.

A first-generation college graduate, Alva began her career in higher education as an assistant professor of child and adolescent development at Cal State Fullerton before being promoted to associate professor and professor. While at CSUF, she also 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 later served as dean of the College of Health and Human Development at California State University, Northridge and as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona before taking on the executive vice chancellor role at the Chancellor's Office.

Education

B.A., Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles
M.A., Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D., Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles