Q&A with Dr. Thomas D. Wallace

Dr. Wallace leaves legacy of leadership and student-centered service

By California State University, Bakersfield

June 17^th, 2025

How did you ultimately decide higher education was the path for you?

I initially hadn't planned to go into higher education. I'd say it chose me. I was a K–12 principal when the chancellor at the University of Mississippi — Gerald Turner, who is now retired from SMU — encouraged me to apply for a position as assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs. His daughter was a student at my school and he believed I’d be good in that role. I wasn’t so sure at first, but he even spoke with my wife and asked her to convince me. I applied, and in March 1990, I began that role at Ole Miss. From there, I moved up to associate and then vice chancellor.

Did you always want to work in education?

Yes. I always enjoyed helping people learn. I started out as a fifth-grade English and social studies teacher and became a principal at 26. I’ve always valued people and the opportunity to help the next generation. Others tried to steer me toward law or medicine because of the income, but I was more interested in following my passion.

When did you know this was the right profession for you?

From my very first day in the classroom. I’ve always identified as a teacher at heart. Even during my time at Ole Miss, I was a professor of education. That joy of seeing a student grasp a concept—there’s nothing like it.

What attracted you to CSU Bakersfield?

At the time, I only knew Coach Barnes and his family. Most people assumed I had a connection with President Mitchell, but I didn’t meet him until my interview. What stood out to me during the visit was the enormous potential. I didn’t need to pad my résumé. I wanted to go somewhere I could make a difference. As a first-generation college student, I saw that many of our students here were as well. That meant something to me.

What was your vision for student life when you arrived at CSUB?

I wanted us to support the academic mission through strong co-curricular programs and services. I told the Academic Senate early on that my goal was for CSUB to be a student-centered campus. That’s still my goal today. It means making decisions that may not always be convenient but are good for students. I also believe in collaboration — we’re stronger when we work together.

What are some key milestones you’re proud of at CSUB?

There are too many to count. When I arrived, there was no campus programming. We built that from the ground up—leadership academies in athletics, student union, ASI, sensational sophomores and campus rec. We’ve changed the culture through leadership development. We went from sending 146 letters to eligible sophomores to over 400. That shows real growth. We also worked to increase Roadrunner pride. I remember not seeing any CSUB gear in stores. I visited the local Walmart, asked to speak to the manager, and pushed to get CSUB merchandise on the shelves. Now you see it all over town.

What piece of advice has stuck with you throughout your career?

My grandmother raised me and had the biggest influence on my life. She didn’t get to finish high school, but she valued education deeply. She always said, "Education is the equalizer." One thing she told me that stuck with me is: "Be careful how you treat people. The same people you meet on the way up, you’ll meet on the way down." That, and believing that everyone has value, have guided me throughout my life.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is difficult to define, but I can describe its characteristics: integrity, communication, honesty, trust, care and wisdom. I’d rather be considered wise than intelligent—wisdom is knowing how to apply what you know.

What legacy do you hope to leave at CSUB?

That I cared. That we built something together to give students a better chance at life. That I believed in collaboration—and practiced it. When people think of my time here, I hope they see that students were always at the center of what we did.

What’s your hope for every student who comes to CSUB?

That they have a wonderful experience and find whatever they’re looking for to be successful in life.

Any final thoughts for the CSUB community?

I hope we never lose focus on why we’re here: the students. There is no “us” without them. They should always be at the forefront of every decision we make.