Vice President Kent L. Willis

Kent L. Willis, Ph.D. was appointed Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at California State University, Fresno in December 2022. His mission is to transform student success outcomes, enhance college readiness across the Central Valley, and meet the evolving needs of students to propel graduation rates and career success. Collaborating with President Jiménez-Sandoval, the university leadership team, faculty, staff, and students, Vice President Willis champions Fresno State as the premier university of choice in Central California and beyond.

Recognized for his ability to leverage change for positive impact, Vice President Willis has developed an AI student success pilot initiative in partnership with Grammarly, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and harnessing technology to support students. Amidst widespread challenges with the FAFSA, he collaborated with the university Chief Financial Officer to develop the Fresno State Tuition Advantage, setting aside increased university funds to assist students with financial challenges.

Under his leadership, Fresno State has achieved remarkable strides in student recruitment, community partnerships, campus engagement, and student success, earning national accolades like the 2024 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs by ACPA. This recognition underscores his dedication to building high-performing teams singularly focused on elevating the student experience. Notably, he has intensified support for all student populations, including veteran students, securing Fresno State's Military Friendly Schools ® designation within his first 18 months. His results-driven approach has yielded a 2% increase in graduation rates, enhanced community college recruitment, and welcomed the second-largest freshman class in university history.

Willis has pioneered an innovative approach to enrollment management with the creation of Bulldog Bound, a guaranteed admission program and college readiness initiative. In just its inaugural year, Bulldog Bound has forged partnerships with over 50 school districts, yielding a 7% increase in student recruitment and conversion. This pathway has proven highly successful, with 1800 students from this year's class entering through Bulldog Bound. This initiative exemplifies his commitment to expanding access, streamlining the admission process, and preparing students for success at Fresno State.

Before joining Fresno State, Willis held various academic and student affairs leadership roles at The University of Texas at Tyler, following a 5-year tenure as a public school teacher and athletic coach, where he honed his ability to build high-performing teams and drive student success. A Fellow with the UC Berkeley Center for Studies in Higher Education, Willis earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Hampton University, a Master of Education from East Central University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University.