CSUB Provost Vernon Harper appointed interim president

Assignment begins Dec. 31 following retirement of President Zelezny

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 11^th, 2023

California State University Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester on Monday announced the appointment of Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr. as interim president of California State University, Bakersfield, where he serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The one-year appointment is effective Dec. 31 following the retirement of President Lynnette Zelezny, who launched an era of unprecedented growth, excellence and resiliency at the university during her 5 1/2-year tenure.

“Dr. Harper is a highly principled and energetic academic leader, with a well-established track record of innovation, student success and inspiring faculty engagement and productivity,” Dr Koester said in an announcement. “He is a student-focused leader with a longstanding dedication to educational equity and a demonstrated commitment to institutional achievement through university-wide collaboration. In addition, Dr. Harper is deeply rooted in the CSU Bakersfield community with productive relationships throughout the region. I have every confidence that he is uniquely positioned to continue CSUB’s upward trajectory.”

Dr. Harper expressed his appreciation for the opportunity and his dedication to CSUB.

“I am humbled and honored that Interim Chancellor Koester has entrusted me with the stewardship of this extraordinary university, where families from throughout the region find a welcoming home to grow and prosper,” he said. “I have had an exceptional role model in President Zelezny, and I look forward to continuing the energy and engagement that are the hallmark of her legacy. Together, the CSUB family will remain focused on our mission: the students.”

President Zelezny welcomed the appointment, noting that Dr. Harper has led efforts to improve CSUB’s graduation rates, helped launch the Department of Ethnic Studies, worked with local community colleges to streamline the transfer process, and introduced a public health bachelor’s degree, a master of kinesiology degree and other degrees and fields of study in alignment with community needs and workforce opportunities for families of the region.

“Dr. Harper is an exceptional leader and demonstrates his deep commitment to our beloved university and community every day,” said Dr. Zelezny. “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.”

Dr. Harper joined CSUB in 2016 as associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of academic programs and was named interim provost in 2019 before accepting the permanent role in 2020.

As provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Harper oversees the academic life and faculty affairs at the university, as well as enrollment, retention, recruitment and graduation initiatives, community and educational partnerships and projects to promote research and innovation, among other critical areas. He serves in the president’s stead when she is away from the university and offers counsel and leadership on the president’s cabinet.

Dr. Harper earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in rhetoric and communication from West Chester University and his doctorate in human communication from Howard University.

He also served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve and is the recipient of the U.S. Army Achievement Medal and the Martin Luther King Unity Award. In addition, the Pennsylvania State Senate commended Dr. Harper for his work in expanding diversity and inclusion.

Since arriving in Bakersfield, Dr. Harper has volunteered with a number of community organizations, including the United Way of Kern County, Kern County Literacy Council and Bakersfield Rotary Association, in addition to service with a number of professional associations and initiatives.

Dr. Harper’s wife, Dr. Erika Harper, also serves the CSUB community as the interim director of counseling psychology. The two have been married for 23 years and have three teenage children.

The Chancellor’s Office will launch a nationwide search to find CSUB’s permanent president, who will be the sixth in the 53-year history of the university, following the tenures of Dr. Paul F. Romberg (1967-1973), Dr. Jacob P. Frankel (1974-1983), Dr. Tomàs Arciniega (1983-2004), Dr. Horace Mitchell (2004-2018) and Dr. Lynnette Zelezny (2018-present).