Echeverria named Provost

Provost Jeri Echeverria
Photo by Randy Vaughn-Dotta

By Shirley Armbruster
University Relations

President John D. Welty has named interim Provost Jeronima (Jeri) Echeverria as the new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

"Dr. Echeverria has done an excellent job as interim provost and Fresno State is fortunate to have her aboard now in a permanent role," said Welty. "Her knowledge of the campus and experience as a faculty member, department chair, associate dean and associate provost will benefit our entire campus as we face the challenges ahead." 

Echeverria, who served as interim provost since July 2003, was selected from a field of more than 50 candidates from throughout the country. 

In her application for the position, Echeverria included some of her personal philosophy and reason for applying. She wrote:

"In short, of the positions which I have held, none has offered me a greater opportunity to develop personally while providing an arena in which I can contribute to others like that of serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fresno State. I hold that a life rich with service and contribution gives meaning and fulfillment. As some of you are aware, my parents were Basque immigrants - one of whom had never set foot in a school room and neither of whom had visited a university campus until the day I graduated. I believe that working at Fresno State , and providing leadership and vision for those in Academic Affairs, provides me with the opportunity to offer the same life-changing gift to others and their families."

As Provost, Echeverria is responsible for the academic programs of the university, including the eight schools and colleges, the 52 academic departments, Continuing and Global Education, Grants and Contract administration, the Madden Library, and academic centers and institutes that report to Academic Affairs, including ISIS , CETL, Service Learning and Programs for Children.

Echeverria joined the Department of History at Fresno State in 1988 after completing her doctorate in United States History at the University of North Texas . In addition to teaching duties, she served as the Single Subject Coordinator in Social Sciences, as chair of the Department of History and 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.

While at Fresno State , Echeverria has authored one historical monograph, co-edited one historical collection, published two scholarly pamphlets and 16 articles and chapters, edited a journal for six years and presented some 50 scholarly presentations.

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 ."