Administration: Senior Administration
- Dr. John D. Welty, President
- Dr. Jeronima Echeverria, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Peter N. Smits, Vice President for University Advancement
- Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
- 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. Jeronima Echeverria, Provost And Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Jeronima Echeverria was named provost and vice president for academic affairs ad interim by California State University, Fresno President John D. Welty effective July 1, 2003. Dr. Echeverria joined the Department of History at Fresno State in 1988 after completing her doctorate in American History at the University of North Texas. Since that time she has served as the Single Subject Coordinator in Social Sciences, as Chair of the Department of History, as Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences. She served as associate dean of the College of Social Sciences from 1995 to 2000 when she was named associate provost. In 1993, Echeverria served on the university’s Intercollegiate Athletics Strategic Planning committee that, among other things, helped assure that Fresno State’s athletic program achieved gender equity. A native of California born to Basque immigrants, Echeverria grew up on a sheep ranch in Southern California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in History and Humanities and completed a secondary teaching credential at the University of California, Irvine. She taught high school Social Studies in San Clemente for 12 years before entering the graduate program at the University of North Texas where she earned a doctorate in History specializing in Basque-related topics. An expert on Basque settlement in the American West, her publications include "Home Away from Home: A History of Basque Boarding Houses," "Portraits of Basques in the American West," and "Home Off the Range: Basque Hotels in America". She also has published several articles on Basques and is frequently invited to speak on related topics.
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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 and Dean of Students
Paul M. Oliaro assumed the position of Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students 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.