The California State University Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester appointed Vernon B. Harper Jr. as the Interim President of the California State University, Bakersfield on Sept. 11.
President Lynnette Zelezny will retire at the end of the year, and Dr. Harper will take over on Dec. 31. He will serve for approximately 12 months while the CSU Board of Trustees searches for the university’s next regularly appointed president.
Harper currently serves as CSUB’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. His primary responsibilities include enrollment, retention, recruitment, graduation initiatives, partnerships and projects to promote innovation. Under his leadership, the university has achieved high graduation and retention rates, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all CSUB members, and an increase in enrollment, according to a news release from the CSU Chancellor’s office.
“I’m honored. I’ve been a part of this community for eight years now. It is a wonderful place and a wonderful experience to be part of this community,” said Harper.
Harper said that all leadership creates opportunities to be concerned about challenges, but he has no fears when considering his new position.
Harper said he has many goals as the Interim President, but the students’ success will always be his focus. According to Harper, he wants to increase the graduation rate and ensure that the university provides the highest quality of education. Other goals he mentioned include developing new academic programs and making CSUB one of the best campuses for innovation and energy.
Harper’s beginnings at CSUB were in 2016 when he served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Academic Programs. According to a CSUB campus news release, Zelezny values his skills.
“Dr. Harper is an exceptional leader and demonstrates his deep commitment to our beloved university and community every day. I am overjoyed that the Roadrunner family will have his keen strategic mind and warm heart to lead us forward. I will be his most devoted supporter as he begins the important work ahead for CSUB and our region,” Zelezny said.
Ludyaram Ortega Magaña, a graduate student in Public Administration at CSUB and the new graduate student lead for the basic needs department, said she is also confident that Dr. Harper will continue Zelezny’s work in fantastically.
“Dr. Vernon Harper has been a pupil under the tremendous leadership of President Lynette Zelezny,” Magaña said.
Magaña also said she is positive that Harper has great academic and interpersonal knowledge, and that students will learn and thrive under his leadership.