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President's Messages
President Luke Wood’s messages to students, faculty, and staff
Introducing our first VP for Research & Innovation
January 13, 2025 - Earlier today we announced the appointment of Dr. Erika Cameron to the position of provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, and that Interim Provost Dr. Carlos Nevarez will continue to serve in that role until Dr. Cameron joins us on March 17.
I am excited to also announce that Dr. Nevarez has agreed to serve in an inaugural senior leadership role, as interim vice president for research and innovation. At the fall budget town hall, I shared that given our current budget outlook, we would be creating this critical position to help support research, creative endeavors, and economic development by increasing the amount of indirect dollars brought to campus. Dr. Nevarez will assume this role when his tenure as provost ends.
In this new role, Dr. Nevarez will be responsible for advancing knowledge through research, scholarship, and creative activities, providing leadership and collaborative guidance to the Offices of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (ORIED), Sponsored Projects (SPA), campus research centers, graduate studies, and doctoral programs, as well as regional campuses, including Placer Center.
This position was created in response to concerns raised during our fall 2023 listening sessions around our support for research and the need to create the infrastructure necessary to expand research productivity. Currently, Sacramento State is one of the top universities in the CSU system in terms of total grant and contracts awards. These awards provide funds to researchers to advance our mission and directly support scholarship, labs, and studios. In this new role, Dr. Nevarez will lead our efforts to support and expand these efforts and move Strategic Action items 5 and 6 forward.
Dr. Nevarez’ deep expertise in educational leadership, proven track record of scholarly productivity, and comprehensive understanding of our institutional dynamics based on his 24 years at Sacramento State make him an ideal and highly qualified candidate to drive our research and economic development initiatives. Dr. Nevarez previously served as a professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, founding director of our nationally ranked Doctorate in Educational Leadership program, and division chair of Graduate and Professional Studies in the College of Education before taking on the role of interim provost in January 2022.
Under his leadership, Sacramento State achieved significant improvements in student success metrics, including increasing four-year graduation rates from 21% to 30%, maintaining 81% one-year retention rates, and reducing DFW rates by 5-10% across colleges. His efforts in advancing faculty research development led to a 30% increase in grant awards, while his equity-focused leadership resulted in successful initiatives like the disbursement of $1.6 million in Provost Grants to 1,820 students to support academic success and increase graduation rates. As steward of a $229 million Academic Affairs budget, he managed resources effectively while implementing strategic financial frameworks and faculty development initiatives that contributed to Sacramento State's ranking as the No. 5 Best Undergraduate Teaching Institution in the West by U.S. News & World Report.
Dr. Nevarez’ nationally recognized scholarship includes over 30 publications spanning articles, books, policy briefs, and technical reports, earning him the Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Lifetime Scholarship from the American Education Research Association’s Multicultural/Multiethnic Education Special Interest Group in 2022.
Please join me in thanking Dr. Nevarez for his service as provost over the last three years, and in congratulating him on this new role. We are excited about our two incoming senior leaders, whose expertise and vision will help drive innovation and excellence at Sacramento State.
Stingers Up!
Erika Cameron, Ph.D., named Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs
January 13, 2025 - After a competitive national search, I am pleased to share that Erika Cameron, Ph.D., will join us as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs beginning March 17. Dr. Cameron is an accomplished academic leader with a proven track record of advancing academic excellence, supporting faculty development, and fostering inclusive educational environments.
Dr. Cameron comes to us from Palo Alto University (PAU), where she has served as provost and vice president for Academic and Student Affairs since 2021. During her tenure, she strengthened academic programs through comprehensive curriculum review processes, led successful accreditation efforts, and implemented key faculty success initiatives including a faculty compensation study and new faculty development programs.
Under her leadership, PAU achieved both Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) designations. Dr. Cameron worked to create a strong culture of shared governance and data-driven decision-making at PAU, and was successful in securing significant external funding. Her commitment to academic innovation led to initiatives in digital mental health and global mental health, while expanding access through digital learning programs and maintaining rigorous academic standards.
Prior to PAU, Dr. Cameron served as chair and associate professor of Counseling at the University of San Diego from 2009-2021, where she led curriculum development, faculty recruitment, successful accreditation processes, and developed innovative global study courses across the globe. Her scholarship focuses on counselor education, leadership, and multicultural counseling, and she has been recognized with multiple awards including the American Counseling Association's Counselor Educator Advocacy Award and the Outstanding Faculty Member Award from USD's School of Leadership and Education Sciences.
A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. Cameron earned her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Bradley University as a Division I student-athlete in volleyball. She earned her M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Carlos Nevarez, Ph.D., will continue to serve as interim provost until Dr. Cameron joins us on March 17. Please join me in thanking Dr. Nevarez for his service as provost over the last three years, where he led significant student success initiatives, including a jump in four-year graduation rates from 21% to 31%, maintaining an 81% one-year retention rate, and reducing DFW rates by 5-10% across colleges. His efforts in advancing faculty research development led to a 30% increase in grant awards, while his equity-focused leadership resulted in successful initiatives like the disbursement of $1.6 million in Provost Grants to 1,820 students to support academic success and increase graduation rates.
I also would like to thank the members of the provost search committee for their dedicated service and careful evaluation of an impressive group of candidates for this critical role.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Cameron, her husband Stefan, and their children to Sacramento and to the Hornet Family.
Stingers Up!
Support and resources for those impacted by LA area wildfires
January 9, 2025 - As you know, the horrific fires in the Los Angeles area are causing widespread and heart-wrenching devastation to many, including members of our Hornet Family. This week, Gov. Newsom declared a State of Emergency and secured a major disaster declaration from President Biden to provide state and federal support for those impacted. Our hearts are with all those affected by the fires, and we want to ensure everyone is aware of the resources available to our campus community.
The University is actively reaching out to students who live in the affected areas to ensure they are safe and to offer resources and support. University Housing and Hornet Commons are reopening early for their residents at no charge. Students who need information about how to arrange early move-in can call University Housing at 916-278-6655 or Hornet Commons at 916-226-9857.
The CARES Office is available for students in need of housing, food, or other basic needs support. It is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, and can be reached at 916-278-5138. Student Health, Counseling and Wellness Services is open for those who need physical or mental health support.
Students who need assistance finding other resources can reach out to the Dean of Students Office at 916-278-6060 or deanofstudents@sxwx168.net.
Faculty and staff seeking support can visit the Employee Assistance Program webpage, which has information about free, confidential services including counseling.
As these fires continue to wreak havoc and cause devastating losses, please continue to take care of one another and yourselves, and stay safe.
Please RSVP to attend the Spring Address
January 7, 2025 - As we prepare to launch another exciting semester, all members of the campus community are invited to attend the Spring Address for important updates and information about campus initiatives and upcoming plans on Thursday, January 16, at 9:00 a.m. in the University Union Ballroom. The address will be followed by light refreshments and an opportunity for networking with colleagues. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance.
If you cannot attend in person, the livestream will be available from our campus events web page, where you can also access a recorded version of the address. ASL-to-English interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided. Additional accommodations can be requested on the RSVP form no later than Jan. 9.
Stingers Up!