University of La Verne: Office of the President

10/17/2026

A wonderful evening with our ULV community at the TELACU Gala!

The University of La Verne was proud to sponsor last night’s celebration. I enjoyed joining Graduate and Adult Student Government representatives Danielle Penn and Jessica Kirk, along Marilyn Ho, chief of staff; Stephen Mally; Zuhey Espinoza, chief government relations officer; and Daniel Toro-Gonzalez, assistant provost.

It was also a pleasure to connect with President Emerita Devorah Lieberman and Congresswoman Judy Chu. Thank you to TELACU for bringing us together for a memorable evening

10/08/2026

I joined colleagues and guest speaker Mahnaz Javid, founder, president and CEO of Mona Foundation, for ULV’s Pathways to Peace lecture.

Her lecture brought conversations about AI to the forefront as it continues to shape the future of higher education.

Thank you to Mahnaz for joining our community and bringing her experience in education, technology and nonprofit leadership to this important conversation.

10/07/2026

A Stronger La Verne, Together

Yesterday’s State of the University was an opportunity to bring our community together and reflect on the future of the University of La Verne.

Thank you to those who joined me and Board of Trustees Chair, Peter Hidalgo. Our faculty, staff and students each play a part in moving La Verne forward in strengthening our university for everyone we serve.

10/06/2026

At ULV Volleyball's Military Night on October 3, I was proud to recognize U.S. Army veteran Tomas Diaz as our Military Hero of the Game.

Thank you, Tomas, for your service, and to everyone who joined us in celebrating our military community!

10/05/2026

I'm pleased to welcome Brian Jersky, PhD, to the University of La Verne as our interim provost.

His experience in academic leadership and collaborative approach will support our work to strengthen teaching, scholarship, and student success. I look forward to working with him and our university community as we advance our academic priorities.

Brian Jersky will join the university as an interim provost on Monday, Oct.5 Brian Jersky brings extensive experience as a faculty member, dean, and academic leader at public and private institutions, including service as provost and senior vice preside...

09/30/2026

University of La Verne alumnus Joshua Bay ’19 is helping bring student experiences into national conversations about higher education.

As a student success reporter and podcast host for *Inside Higher Ed*, Joshua examines how colleges and universities can better help students thrive. His path began at ULV, where he developed his voice through journalism, explored his passion for student engagement, and found mentors who encouraged him to turn his ideas into action.

His story shows what can happen when students are given the support, experiences, and confidence to pursue work that matters to them.

Read Joshua’s story:

Joshua Bay ’19 credits his hands-on experiences and mentors at ULV with helping prepare him for a career reporting on higher education and student success for Inside Higher Ed. (Courtesy Joshua Bay) The University of La Verne alumnus draws on the journalism training, leadership experience and men...

09/14/2026

The University of La Verne community is preparing to take its voices and creativity to Carnegie Hall.

On May 29, 2027, more than 100 singers and professional musicians will come together for the world premiere of *A Triptych on Tabitha: She Was Full of Good Works*. The original work will feature ULV students, faculty, alumni, and community members while exploring themes of care, belonging, compassion, and service.

What makes this project especially meaningful is that our community is helping shape it. Original writing selected from community submissions will become part of the music performed in New York City, creating a piece that reflects both La Verne’s history and the voices of those connected to it today.

Learn more about this community-wide project and how you can participate:

Members of the University of La Verne Chamber Singers will join more than 100 singers for the world premiere of A Triptych on Tabitha: She Was Full of Good Works at Carnegie Hall on May 29, 2027. (Courtesy of Clarissa Shan) Students, faculty, alumni, and community members invited to help create wor...

09/04/2026

At the 15th Annual FLEX and New Student Engagement Day, our students and Leo community came together to pack more than 2,800 meals in partnership with Hillcrest and Rise Against Hunger.

It was great to see so many members of our community working side by side to support others and begin the academic year through service.

08/28/2026

The University of La Verne has been recognized by TIME as one of America’s Best Colleges for 2026–2027.

This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, the determination of our students, and our shared commitment to providing an education that prepares graduates to build successful careers, embrace lifelong learning, and make a meaningful difference in their communities.

It is a pleasure to lead a university community so deeply committed to the success of every student.

Read more about this recognition:

TIME Magazine recognized the University of La Verne this week for being among the nation’s top colleges with an overall ranking at #70 in the country. From that list, ULV is ranked #12 among the best colleges in the state of California. “Students who come to the University of La Verne are prep...

08/27/2026

I enjoyed connecting with students at ULV's Involvement Fair and learning more about the many opportunities available across campus.

Student organizations like the Latino Student Forum and create meaningful spaces for Latinx students to celebrate their culture, build connections, and find a sense of belonging at La Verne.

I encourage every student to explore, get involved, and discover the community that makes ULV feel like home.