CSU Channel Islands, which made the list last year (the third time in a row) with vice president Dr. William Gregory Sawyer at the helm, repeats this year under the leadership of Dr. Richard Yao. Sawyer came out of retirement last year to serve as student affairs vice president at Sonoma State University, which also made the list, as well as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo under student affairs vice president Dr. Keith Humphrey.
Dr. William Gregory Sawyer with president
of Associated Students Carley Chatterley (left)
and a Sonoma State student (right).
Although proud of their individual campuses’ successes enhancing the student experience, all three administrators say they reflect a culture throughout the 23-school system, where the student affairs leaders collectively resemble a microcosm of the United Nations.
“CSU is diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Sawyer. “It’s who we are. We focus not just on making sure the students get in, but making sure they get out.”
Sawyer’s approach is informed by 36 years as a student affairs dean or administrator, including founding chief student affairs officer at Florida Gulf Coast University and founding vice president for student affairs at CSU Channel Islands, the system’s newest campus that opened in 2002. He began his career in student affairs as a residence hall director at the University of North Texas, where he later worked as coordinator of intercultural services, assistant dean of students, associate dean and then dean.
The bevy of roles gave him a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience that compelled Sonoma president Dr. Judy K. Sakaki, a former colleague, to coax him out of retirement last April.
