The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Vernon B. Harper Jr. to serve as president of California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), effective immediately. Harper has been serving as the university’s interim president since December 2023, following the retirement of President Lynnette Zelezny.
Prior to his role as interim president, Harper served in several leadership roles at CSUB, starting in 2016, including as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, associate vice president of the same division, and dean of Academic Programs. He is also a professor of communications.
Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr
Harper previously served as the associate vice president for Academic Administration (2012-2016) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He also served as associate provost at Wilkes University of Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2012, where he was responsible for regional accreditation, assessment and institutional effectiveness. Before joining Wilkes University, Harper was an associate for Academic Affairs at the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia, the system administrative body of the 16 four-year institutions and 23 two-year institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Harper earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in rhetoric and communication from West Chester University, and a doctorate in human communication from Howard University.
