Monday morning marked a new era at California State University, Stanislaus as it was the first day on the job for new president Britt Rios-Ellis, the 13th president in the school’s 67-year history.
Rios-Ellis, who was officially appointed at a CSU Board of Trustees meeting in March, introduced herself to the campus community in a video message released on Stanislaus State social media channels on Monday morning.
“I simply cannot express how excited and honored I am to be serving as Stanislaus State’s 13th president,” Rios-Ellis said. “I want you all to know that at each step… I am deeply honored and feel blessed to be joining this vibrant and dedicated community.”
Rios-Ellis succeeds Interim President Susan E. Borrego. Prior to Borrego taking over in the interim role in the summer of 2023, Stan State was previously led by Ellen Junn (2016-2023), Joseph F. Sheley (2012-2016), Hamid Shirvani (2005-2012), Marvalene Hughes (1994-2005), Lee Kerschner (1992-1994), John Moore (1985-1992), Walter Olson (1975-1985), Carl Gatlin (1969-1975), Alexander Capurso (1963-1969), Gerard Crowley (1962-1963) and founding president J. Burton Vasche (1960-1962).
In Monday’s video message, Rios-Ellis offered thanks to the presidential search committee and to Borrego for helping with the transition.
“I want to start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the presidential search committee and transition process. I especially want to thank Interim President Sue Borrego for her passionate and dedicated leadership, for answering what may have seemed like endless questions, and for always keeping the well-being of Stan State at the core of this transition,” she said.
Rios-Ellis shared that she has been living in Modesto and exploring the Central Valley for just over a week now, and that the experiences thus far have been nothing but great.
“What has impressed me the most has been the consistent kindness of our respective communities,” she said. “Your friendliness and optimism, despite the challenges we may face, is contagious.”
She also made references to her bilingual and bicultural background. Rios-Ellis and her husband, musician and music educator Enrique Rios-Ellis, are the proud parents of three young adults: Xochitl, Enrique and Itzel. After attending the University of Oregon where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish, a master’s degree in health and fitness management and a Ph.D. in community health, Rios-Ellis completed Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership in Education and the HERS Program for Women's Leadership in Higher Education at Bryn Mawr. She also completed the Provost and Student Success Academies and the Millennial Leadership Academy of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Her areas of funded research include Latino HIV/AIDS, nutrition, maternal/child health, chronic disease and mental health.
Rios-Ellis served as a faculty member in the Department of Health Science at California State Long Beach from 1994 to 2014. During that time from 2005 to 2015, she also served as founding director of CSULB’s Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training in alliance with UnidosUS. She was recognized with a CSULB Outstanding Professor Award in 2013 for her significant impact on Latino health research and education, and was named Woman of the Year by the National Hispanic Business Women’s Association in 2010 and the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2009. Additionally, in 2008, she received the Sol Award from the Los Angeles County Office of HIV/AIDS Planning Prevention.
From 2014 to 2020, Rios-Ellis served as founding dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at Monterey Bay State, where she led fundraising and strategic planning efforts and co-founded the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program—the first of its kind in the CSU. Additionally, she launched two academic departments and spearheaded the Center for Community Health Engagement, a multipurpose, interprofessional space to optimize wellness for homeless populations. With the Oakland University leadership team in 2021, the institution has seen an 8% increase in retention of underrepresented students.
“The evident cultural fabric I observe daily is an unspoken asset for our community’s growth and I look forward to engaging in English y en Español and learning more about your dreams for the future of this great university,” she said. “Your optimism and sense of unity is reflected in our students, and it just reinforces Stan State’s reputation as a welcoming place that fosters belonging and a ‘Sí se puede’ attitude.
“I am eager to listen, learn and engage with you at our Turlock and Stockton campuses and across our six-county region to hear more about your dreams for our University and your respective communities. Building strong relationships and bolstering an inclusive, collaborative environment will be at the heart of my leadership. ”
During her 20 years at Cal State Long Beach, where she served from 1994 to 2014, Rios-Ellis was a professor of health sciences and the founding director of the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training and the community-based Centro Salud es Cultura, an applied research center.
Rios-Ellis has led more than $59 million in student- and community-strengthening health- and education-related efforts funded by the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Minority Health, USDA, National Institutes of Minority Health and Health Disparities and Substance Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration, among others.
“I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and working hard for the betterment of Stan State and for our entire region,” she said. “This next year, I am excited to work with alumni, faculty, staff, university leadership and our community and industry partners to build needed pipeline programs to strengthen our economy and serve the needs of the Central Valley. Together, we will build opportunities for folks to join Stan State’s mission, ensuring that our contributions to the welfare of our surrounding communities are as strong as possible. As we will continue to build partnerships, educate, and prepare the best and brightest, we will develop opportunities to innovate and positively impact our region.
“At Stan State, we transform futures, one student and one family at a time. With a focus on equity, my goal is to ensure that everyone who wants an education knows that they belong at Stan State. If you see me around, please stop and say hello! Saludáme por favor. I can’t wait to meet you.
Rios-Ellis and Stan State’s senior leadership team will kick off the fall semester and the 2024-25 academic year during the annual Fall Welcome Address on Monday, Aug. 19, in Snider Recital Hall at the Turlock campus.
