Stephen Perez Steps Into Presidency at San José State University
Editor’s Note: Stephen Perez assumed leadership of San José State University on January 3, 2022. The following message was released by the California State University system on November 22, 2021, regarding his selection as interim president of SJSU. The following was lightly edited by the SJSU editorial team on January 3, 2022, to account for Perez beginning his tenure at SJSU. The original release is also available online.
Stephen Perez Appointed Interim President of San José State University
(November 22, 2021) – California State University (CSU) Chancellor Joseph I. Castro has appointed Stephen Perez, Ph.D., to serve as interim president of San José State University (SJSU). Perez previously served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs and professor of economics at California State University, Sacramento. Perez assumed the leadership of the campus on January 3, 2022 after the departure of current SJSU president Dr. Mary A. Papazian, who resigned from the presidency on December 21, 2021. Current SJSU provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., served as executive in charge on campus during the brief transition upon Papazian’s departure.
“Dr. Perez is a bold leader with a long-standing commitment to improving student achievement demonstrated through his many years of service at Sacramento State,” said Castro. “His passion for increasing opportunity for all students and his track record of building collaborative relationships with students, faculty and staff will ensure that SJSU continues on its upward trajectory during this time of transition.”
In his role as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, Perez provides leadership and support for the Division of Academic Affairs including, faculty and staff in all colleges, the University Library, and for several offices that support students, faculty and staff, and the Sacramento region. Additionally, Perez has taught macroeconomics at all levels as well as econometrics, sports economics, labor economics and mathematics for economists.
“From providing a transformational education to tens of thousands of students to serving as a cultural hub and an incubator for innovation, SJSU is driving the Silicon Valley and makes an impact that reverberates throughout the state and the world,” said Perez. “I enthusiastically welcome and appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with the dedicated students, faculty, staff, president’s cabinet and community to further increase the achievement of our talented and diverse students.”
Perez joined Sacramento State as an assistant professor in the Department of Economics in 2001. Over his two decades of service to the university he has also served as associate professor, professor, assistant to the president for special projects, faculty athletics representative and interim provost before being appointed to his current role in the fall of 2019. His previous experience includes service as a member of the faculty at Washington State University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Perez earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, San Diego and his master’s and Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Davis.
The duration of Perez’s interim appointment is expected to last for approximately one year. CSU Trustees will soon begin a national search for a permanent president to lead the campus.
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