Interim Vice President Named

An accomplished professional with a stellar record of fundraising achievement for California State University has been named interim vice president for university advancement at California State University, Fullerton. President Mildred García announced the appointment of Theresa Mendoza in a memo sent to students, faculty and staff on Wednesday, June 13.

“Tere brings a wealth of valuable experience leading philanthropic programs in higher education in general and in the CSU in particular,” wrote García in her announcement to the campus. “I found her informed guidance, solid expertise and extensive knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in California enormously helpful in putting our advancement effort on a solid footing during my presidency at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and I am pleased that she has agreed to put her considerable talents to work for California State University, Fullerton.”

Mendoza has served the CSU on the chancellor’s leadership team since 2007. As senior advisor for campus advancement programs, she provided strategic counsel to the presidents and leadership teams of the CSU’s 23 campuses in building successful advancement programs to enhance the academic and student learning environments, and managed the CSU’s Presidents’ Council on Industries Advisory Boards and Systemwide Program Initiatives in the areas of agriculture, engineering, entertainment and hospitality.

“It’s a great honor to be invited to serve the CSU in this new capacity. After nine years heading up university advancement at San Diego State, I joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2007. In that time I have grown to admire both Dr. García and the university she now leads and am thrilled to join her team at Cal State Fullerton.”

Mendoza will begin work at CSUF in early July and serve until a search has been conducted and a permanent appointee named. Her appointment follows the departure of Pamela Hillman, who served for nine years in the position.

Prior to joining the CSU Chancellor's Office, Mendoza had been vice president of university advancement and founding CEO of the Campanile Foundation at San Diego State University since 1998. Her nine-year tenure saw the university raise an unprecedented $400 million and increase its annual productivity from $20 million to $65.5 million.

Mendoza came to San Diego following 15 years at Arizona State University, where she served as the executive vice president of the Arizona State University Foundation and directed the ASU’s comprehensive campaign.

Before making the transition to higher education, Mendoza served as the Washington director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and on the staffs of three members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. She earned a B.A. in international affairs and economics from George Washington University, an M.A. in intercultural and organizational communication from Arizona State University and a Certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from Indiana University.

As interim vice president for advancement at CSUF, Mendoza will oversee the 80-person division charged with enhancing the university’s reputation, strengthening its financial resources, and expanding its network of support and influence through strategic communications and the engagement of internal and external stakeholders.

June 13, 2012