Chancellor Gets CSUF's Top IT Man

Alumnus Amir Dabirian Takes Position With CSU System

September 10, 2009

By Russ L. Hudson

The California State University’s Chancellor’s Office tapped Cal State Fullerton’s Amir Dabirian as its new assistant vice chancellor for Information Technology Services and chief information officer for the California State University. He started Sept. 1.

Dabirian, an alumnus (B.S. electrical engineering ’85 and M.S. electrical engineering ‘88) who was at CSUF for 24 years as a teacher and administrator, heads the development and implementation of systemwide IT strategic plans, policies, standards and programs for the 23-campus CSU system headquartered in Long Beach. His responsibilities include the system’s IT infrastructure, network security, academic technology services, data bases, management systems, accessibility compliance for those with disabilities, and technology policy, planning and advice.

Focus on Quality

“I know that Amir will maintain a focus on quality, collaboration and support of the various constituents of the CSU, as he has done here at Fullerton,” said CSUF President Milton Gordon. Gordon said he had mixed emotions about Dabirian’s new position, wanting him to stay because he has done so much for the Fullerton campus, but happy to see his considerable expertise and leadership at the CSU system’s headquarters.

Chris Manriquez, interim associate chief technology officer and director of the Common Management System, said, "He left very large shoes to fill. He was unique. He held every position, it seems, other than tenured faculty, so he knew intimately the needs, problems and strengths of each area on campus and could apply that knowledge to each project. Whoever is chosen as his replacement will have a tough act to follow."

Just as the campus will miss Dabirian, the move is poignant for Dabirian, too. “I will miss the campus environment as a whole. I am grateful for the experiences I have had at CSUF that undoubtedly prepared me to work at our university system office. I will cherish the time spent with the students, faculty, and staff.”

Dabirian took part in the campus’s evolution to the electronic age during his more than two-and-a-half decades here starting as a student, with the top leadership role of vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer the last three years. In the top spot, he was overseer for IT strategic planning, program development and coordination of all aspects of centrally supported campus information technology.

During His Tenure

His tenure as vice president saw implementation of the Peoplesoft software for human resources, finance and student systems, expansion of the computer rollout program, introduction of a new, campuswide voicemail system and design of password-protected portal access to university web sites.

Dabirian also brought students Google Mail, oversaw the deployment of the Learning Management System and established the Office of Information Security. He was a key force in establishing the campus’s Information Learning Commons and the Emergency Notification System.

Dabirian also served two terms on the Academic Senate as an at-large member and as a member of the Academic Senate Executive Committee. In addition to his degrees from CSUF, he earned a master’s in computer science from UC Riverside in 1998.