New president appointed at Cal Poly Pomona

A veteran California State University administrator was named Wednesday as the new president of Cal Poly Pomona.

Soraya M. Coley will become the sixth president of the 20,000-student campus, succeeding J. Michael Ortiz, who is retiring in December after 12 years as president.

She will be the first woman to serve as president at either of Cal State’s two polytechnic campuses, in Pomona and San Luis Obispo.

Coley, 63, currently is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cal State Bakersfield.

“Cal Poly Pomona is one of the most renowned institutions in the west and has a long and rich history of providing the highest quality education to a highly diverse student population,” Coley said in a statement. “I’m excited to work alongside the many outstanding faculty and staff and embrace the ‘learn-by-doing’ philosophy to fulfill the university’s unique mission to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and contribute to the region’s educational and economic advancement.”

Coley previously was interim vice president for academic advancement at Bakersfield, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Alliant International University, a private, nonprofit San Diego-based institution, a dean in the College of Human Development and Community Services at Cal State Fullerton, and department chair and professor in the human services department at the Fullerton campus.

Officials touted Coley’s focus on promoting student opportunities and experience in California’s education systems.

“As a polytechnic institute, Cal Poly Pomona has a unique mission among CSU campuses and Dr. Coley’s experience as a teacher and a leader, and her knowledge of public higher education in California makes her the right person to lead the institution,” said Lou Monville, who is chairman of the Cal State Board of Trustees and headed the presidential search committee.

During a press briefing, Coley spoke of applying her “passion” for education to increase access at the university for students in the fast-growing Inland Empire and Pomona communities.

“I understand very directly how important a quality education is to the trajectory of individuals, families and communities,” Coley said. “So I have worked very hard to promote access and opportunity and to make sure that we help people understand and explore their potential.

She continued: “The fact that Pomona is one of the most diverse universities in the nation bodes well for my approach and philosophy of bringing everyone to the table to help support and advance students.”

Addressing her position as the first woman to lead the polytechnic campus, Coley stressed the importance of breaking down barriers, both real and perceived. At Bakersfield, she worked to secure private funding to expand science, technology, engineering and math programs and outreach to women and minority students.

“I stand on the shoulders of men and women who saw in me sometimes something I didn’t see in myself and I think I have a responsibility to do that for the next generation,” Coley said. “At Pomona, we’re preparing students for an ‘I-can’ mind-set.”

Coley earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a master’s in social planning and social research from Bryn Mawr and a doctorate in social planning and policy also from Bryn Mawr.

She is scheduled to assume her new post by Jan. 1. Her salary will be set by trustees at a later date.

Twitter: @CarlaRiveraLat