OU Provost Britt Rios-Ellis named president of California State University, Stanislaus

After more than three years as Oakland University’s provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs, Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis has been appointed to serve as president of California State University, Stanislaus, a public university located in the heart of California’s Central Valley. She expects to begin her new leadership post this July.  

In the coming weeks, a transition plan will be shared with OU faculty and staff, including details of the search process and timeline for selecting the university’s next provost.

Since arriving in January 2021, Dr. Rios-Ellis’ OU tenure has been marked by unwavering commitment to student and faculty success, development of research and academic offerings, expansion of community engagement programs and support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

“Provost Rios-Ellis’ commitment to transforming Oakland into a diverse and equitable campus has inspired so many of us,” said OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “She has been a tireless advocate in hiring underrepresented minorities, expanding the scope of community engagement and pushing for a greater role for sustainability.” 

Dr. Rios-Ellis’ accomplishments include: 

• Strategically positioning the university for legislative, federal, state and philanthropic funding (e.g. the physician’s assistant program, telehealth, THRIVE, faculty research mentorship).
  
  
• Establishing a student success and equity dashboard to mitigate achievement gaps, strengthen retention and improve graduation rates. Her leadership led to an increase in the retention of underrepresented students.
  
  
• Overseeing a comprehensive assessment of the university’s community engagement programs and activities which led to the prestigious Carnegie designation.
  
  
• Navigating Academic Affairs through the post-pandemic financial predicament, including 11 percent budget cuts, without diminishing the quality of academic offerings. 
  
  
• Elevating shared governance among the university’s highest priorities, leading to improved collegiality with faculty, and ratification of an amended university constitution.

“Everyone who has had the pleasure to spend time with Provost Rios-Ellis has been touched by her warmth, compassion and inclusive nature,” said President Pescovitz. “The OU community is immensely appreciative of all that she has accomplished, and wishes her all the best in her new role as president at California State University, Stanislaus, recognized for its stunning agricultural landscape and cultural diversity, where we are sure Britt will make an indelible mark.”