After a national search, President Michael Ortiz has named Steven N. Garcia to serve as the new Vice President for the Division of Administrative Affairs and Chief Financial Officer. He will begin Jan. 6, 2014.

Garcia is currently the senior vice president for finance and administration at Claremont Graduate University. In addition to CGU, his career includes overseeing administrative and financial services for Cal State LA and the University of Northern Colorado, as well as analyzing higher education legislation and issues for the governor’s office in Washington state.

“I really admire Cal Poly Pomona, especially President Ortiz, and how the university has been able to move forward in the face of adversity,” Garcia says. “There’s a lot of excitement and momentum on this campus. I can see a lot of great things happening, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

At CGU, Garcia is responsible for budget and accounting, grants and contracts, facilities, student housing, technology, human resources, and investments. He also serves as the treasurer and secretary to the Board of Trustees, and provides staff support to five trustee standing committees.

“Steven is a proven leader who will continue the outstanding leadership of administrative affairs. This is a pivotal time for Cal Poly Pomona as we look forward to the next 75 years,” Ortiz says. “We welcome Steven, his experience and his insight to lead our teams in finance, facilities and human resources.”

Garcia has a doctoral degree in leadership and policy program studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He holds a master’s of public administration degree from the University of Kansas, and he completed his undergraduate studies there as well.

He will succeed Vice President for Administrative Affairs Ed Barnes, who is retiring on Dec. 1 after more than 30 years of service at Cal Poly Pomona.

(Photo: Steven N. Garcia.)