July 16, 2021
Dear Pitzer Community,
In February, I appointed Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Vasquez interim vice president of student affairs. Since that time, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership, working collaboratively with fellow vice presidents staff and faculty, providing timely data and insights to our COVID-19 Task Force, and representing the interests of Pitzer College with our student affairs colleagues across the consortium. She also led the effort to develop the Pathway Forward website to help guide the safe return of students to our campus this fall. She has done extraordinary work in extremely challenging times, and today, I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Sandy Vasquez as the ongoing vice president of student affairs at Pitzer.
Since she joined the Pitzer community as the assistant vice president and dean of students in 2017, Sandy has developed and managed numerous programs to help our students succeed academically and personally. As I wrote in February in my community message regarding leadership transitions in Student Affairs, Sandy is a dedicated advocate and supporter of our students who works tirelessly to give voice to our students of color and first-generation students.
Prior to her time at Pitzer, Sandy worked in various positions in Student Affairs at University of California, Santa Barbara, and California State University, San Bernardino. She earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Northridge, a master’s degree in higher education leadership from the University of Arkansas, and a doctorate of education in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. She is also a graduate of the Management Development Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators recognized her as the Region IV-West Outstanding New Professional of the Year early in her career.
I know Sandy will continue to provide exceptional support for our students and leadership for our staff in Student Affairs. Please join me in congratulating Sandy as she takes on this important role.
Provida Futuri,
Melvin L. Oliver President
