Big Picture Thinker
Vitaliano Figueroa is one of two new Associate Vice Presidents in the Division of Student Affairs.
The Division of Student Affairs is welcoming a new Associate Vice President, Vitaliano Figueroa, a student affairs veteran with more than 20 years of experience.
Figueroa comes to San Diego State University from Valley City State University in North Dakota where he served as vice president for student affairs for three years. Prior to his position at VCSU, Figueroa worked as the director of student life, leadership development and student conduct at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.
Figueroa said his years of experience supporting an entire student affairs portfolio will give him perspective, as well as the ability to focus on listening to the needs of students and the staff who work in the departments that he will oversee.
“The years of experience I have directing a number of different programs, in a variety of different university systems, will give me the ability to support my various areas and departments and help them move toward their goals and the goals of the university overall,” Figueroa said.
“I think one of my strengths is program development and being able to envision what something might look like, and then identify how we get there,” he said. “I am a big thinker and I like to get things done.”
A wealth of expertise
SDSU Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Rivera said that Figueroa brings a considerable amount of expertise and proven success in student retention efforts, which is a key focus of the division.
“Vitaliano has a track record of proven success in the areas of student retention and work with underrepresented student populations. We are excited to have him join our team and bring that expertise, as well as a wealth of experience to SDSU,” Rivera said.
Figueroa is no stranger to urban college campuses or to California schools. The College of Southern Nevada, where he worked for nearly seven years, serves more than 44,000 students and Figueroa previously worked at United States International University in San Diego, and Santa Ana College and American Career College, both in the Los Angeles area.
In addition to his big picture thinking, former colleagues noted Figueroa’s commitment to listening to students’ needs and providing growth opportunities for all students.
“One of his greatest strengths is his ability to understand and support the growth of the whole student, especially student growth that happens outside of the classroom,” said Arthur Byrd, former vice president for student affairs at the College of Southern Nevada.
Figueroa will be overseeing Student Athlete Academic Support Services, Compact for Success and Collaborative Programs, Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs, the International Student Center, the Office of the Ombudsman and Testing Services. He will also work with the assistant deans for Student Affairs and Student Affairs of the Imperial Valley Campus. His first day at SDSU was July 6.
