As part of our celebration of Black History Month, take a look back when Daria Graham was named CSUSB’s new dean of students and associate vice president of Student Affairs. This article was originally published June 10, 2020. Also visit the CSUSB Black History Month website to participate in our events all month long.

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Veteran educator and administrator Daria Graham from the University of Dayton has been named Cal State San Bernardino’s new dean of students and associate vice president of Student Affairs.

Graham, who currently serves as associate dean of students/executive director, of Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement and has a doctorate in educational leadership, joined CSUSB on July 1.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Graham will soon join the Coyote Family as our new AVP and dean of students,” said Student Affairs Vice President Paz Maya Olivérez. “She brings over 20 years of leadership in Student Affairs and a wealth of knowledge and experience around multicultural affairs and student engagement, which are of particular importance to the success of our students given our virtual environment and the many social justice issues our campus community currently faces.”

“Dr. Graham’s colleagues describe her as a strong leader with integrity and the ability to build community and work across the campus to make positive change,” Olivérez said. “I look forward to working together to lead the Division of Student Affairs through these challenging times and am confident that her experience and expertise will help to move the university forward.”

Graham said there were many things that impressed and drew her to CSUSB.

“I was immediately impressed with CSUSB's focus on student success and commitment to the student experience. The conversion from quarters to semesters, the Graduation Initiative 2025 Plan, updates to campus facilities, and the change in the class schedule are powerful examples of the university's endeavor to meet students’ needs,” Graham said. “The enormity of this show of commitment is rare and I look forward to being a contributing partner as a member of the Division of Student Affairs.”  

 As dean of students, Graham said she will work to form relationships that strengthen the student experience, and embrace the opportunities to champion student life at CSUSB.

“I recognize that the current state of the world today and the necessary constraints due to COVID-19 may create challenges to my initial orientation to campus, but I will work hard to quickly understand the needs and opportunities for the dean of students role,” Graham said. “My plans include the creation of an open line of communication and the development of a strategy to promote the benefits of campus life.” 

Prior to her role at the University of Dayton, she served in a number of positions at the university including: associate dean of students/executive director, Office of Multicultural Affairs; director, Office of Student Leadership Programs; associate director, Office of Multicultural Affairs/acting director of Student Leadership Programs; acting director/assistant director, Office of Multicultural Affairs; assistant director, Conference and Business Services, Center for Student Involvement; and residential assignments officer, Housing and Residential Life.

Graham, who will report to the vice president for Student Affairs, will be a member of the Division of Student Affairs leadership team and a larger leadership team that includes Student Affairs directors and the university’s administrative council. As associate vice president and dean of students, she will serve as second-in-charge of the division and has direct administrative responsibility for the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development, the Santos Manuel Student Union, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Department of Housing and Residential Education, Office of Student Engagement, the CARE team, the Cross-Cultural Center, and Associated Students, Incorporated.

She received a bachelor’s degree in business management, a master’s degree in college student personnel and a doctorate degree in educational leadership, all from the University of Dayton.

Her research interests and areas of expertise include: student affairs practice informed by a critical framework; crisis management especially associated with race, culture, alcohol, relationship violence, gender bias, and intersectionality; feminism; social justice in higher education; alternative epistemologies, methodologies, and representations of knowledge; critical theory and critical pedagogy.