Administration: Senior Administration
- Dr. John D. Welty, President
- Dr. Dennis Nef, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
- Dr. Peter N. Smits, Vice President for University Advancement
- Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, Vice President for Student Affairs
- Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Dr. John D. Welty, President
John D. Welty was appointed president of California State University, Fresno July 29, 1991. He also is a professor in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. During his time as president, Fresno State has been recognized nationally as an engaged university and has grown in stature academically. More than $182.3 million in construction has been completed, and a new $90 million library is under construction. The Smittcamp Family Honors College has been created, and new doctoral programs are under development. The university has increased private fund raising and grant and contract activity, as well. Dr. Welty is recognized nationally as a leader in planning for the future, teacher education reform, information technology planning, substance abuse prevention, service learning and intercollegiate athletics. He served on the Cornerstones Group, which created the CSU’s strategic plan, and he has served on several advisory groups to the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture. He has been involved extensively in teacher preparation reform. He has chaired AASCU, the senior college commission of WASC and served on several national groups. Previously, Dr. Welty served as president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for seven years. Prior to assuming the presidency of IUP, he served as vice president for student and university affairs for four years. Dr. Welty received his bachelor’s degree in social science from Western Illinois University, Macomb, in 1965; his master’s degree in college student personnel services from Michigan State University in 1967; and his doctorate in administration of higher education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1974.
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Dr. Dennis Nef, Interim Provost And Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dennis Nef is associate vice president and dean of undergraduate studies and professor of agricultural economics at California State University Fresno where he has taught since 1983. He served as chair of the department from 1990-1995 and was associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology from 1995-2003. Since 2003 I have served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies. He was named interim provost Feb. 2, when Dr. Jeronima “Jeri” Echeverria moved to the California State University headquarters in Long Beach to become associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs for the 23-campus CSU system. A native of Idaho, Dr. Nef spent his youth milking cows and setting siphon tubes on the family dairy farm. He earned degrees at Brigham Young University (B.S. in Business Administration), Utah State University (M.S. Agricultural Economics) and Iowa State University (Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics). He has taught courses in microeconomic theory, agricultural finance, natural resource economics and agricultural policy among others. His specialty areas are agricultural policy and resource economics, and he has conducted research in water and land use policy; worked with water districts, utility companies, local, state and federal government agencies and farm management firms on land, water and energy problems; and constructed computer based models to aid farmers in evaluating long term investments and in selection of energy rates for irrigation pumping. His most recent interest involves the use of technology in education.
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Dr. Peter N. Smits, Vice President for University Advancement
Peter Smits has served as vice president for university advancement since February 1994. As a member of the president's cabinet, he is responsible for Fresno State's programs in alumni relations, development and fundraising, university relations, and the university foundation. Prior to his appointment at Fresno State, he served as vice president for advancement at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in western Pennsylvania. He also has served as executive assistant to the chancellor at Louisiana State University, vice president for college relations and development at the State University of New York at Brockport, and dean of students at The College of White Plains in New York. Dr. Smits earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the State University of New York at Albany, and his Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo.
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Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, Vice President for Student Affairs
Paul M. Oliaro assumed the position of Vice President for Student Affairs at the start of fall semester 2002. He is responsible for the areas of Enrollment Services, which includes outreach, admission, records, evaluation and financial aid, scholarships, and international student services; University Health and Psychological Services; Federal Programs and campus discipline; Academic Enhancement Services, which includes advising, the Educational Opportunity Program and other academic support services; and Student Life, which includes student activities/leadership, recreation, career services, women’s center, services for students with disabilities; and the University Student Union. He also serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Athletic Cooperation, Chairperson of the campus Alcohol Advisory Council and is Co-Chair of the Student Success Task Force with the Provost. Dr. Oliaro received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota, and attained his master’s degree and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Michigan State University.
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Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Cynthia Teniente-Matson assumed the position of Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer on March 29, 2004. Matson is responsible for a broad range of administrative functions, which include financial management services, budget, plant operations, human resources, procurement, facilities planning, campus police, environmental health and safety, utility management, campus information systems and information technology services. She also will chair the Association Board of Directors and have responsibility for financial oversight of all Auxiliary Corporations. Prior to her appointment at Fresno State, Matson served as Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Over a 15-year career at the University of Alaska, she held numerous positions there, including Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance and Director of Business Services. Matson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Management and her MBA from the University of Alaska Anchorage.