In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Frances Teves, interim vice president for University Advancement, was recognized by L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis as a community leader.
The supervisor hosted a reception to honor several AAPI community leaders and advocates who have provided critical community support and advocacy in the past year.
“It was my honor to recognize Frances Teves at this year’s AAPI Heritage Month Reception,” said Solis (’79, political science), who is also a Cal Poly Pomona alumna. “She, along with every other awardee, has served as a beacon of hope and strengthened the power of AAPIs in leadership roles. I thank Frances for her commitment to creating a more just and equitable society.”
Other honorees at the May 19 event included Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Lisa Wong, and the Chief Executive Officer of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, Connie Chung Joe.
Teves joined Cal Poly Pomona in 2017 to lead government and external affairs. As assistant vice president, she secured more than $20 million in federal funding to support university initiatives and serves as the primary legislative liaison to local, county, state and federal officials. In March, she was appointed as interim vice president for University Advancement.
Since 2019, Teves has also led the university’s pandemic response efforts as the chair of the Safer Return Task Force. In this essential role, she has facilitated the implementation of mandated COVID-19 safety protocols and informed the campus of public health orders and guidance.
Teves has over 25 years of professional experience in non-profit and higher education institutions, including 20 years of service to the CSU, primarily in University Advancement. Prior to joining our campus, she served as the chief of operations for University Advancement at California State University, Fullerton. She managed the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors and oversaw a number of presidential initiatives.