Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Named

Following a nationwide search, San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre has announced that higher education leader and scholar Christopher Manning has been appointed to serve as Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, beginning Feb. 29, 2024.

Manning, vice president and chief inclusion and diversity officer at University of Southern California (USC), is regarded for driving initiatives that foster a culture of equity, inclusion and belonging, and for delivering training programs, courses and professional development offerings to faculty, staff and students.

During the 2019-20 year, Manning chose SDSU as his host institution as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow. During that period, and as part of this nationally competitive program for higher education leaders, Manning worked directly with de la Torre and members of the university leadership team.

“We were looking for someone who cares deeply about students and the student experience, who could serve and collaborate closely with our faculty, and whose work is seated in a foundational practice of care and inclusion. We found all of that, and more, in Dr. Manning,” de la Torre said.

“Dr. Manning is highly regarded nationwide for developing programs and initiatives that change and improve lives,” de la Torre said. “Also, given his earlier time with SDSU, he already knows our environment, our strategic priorities, our mission and our success story very well. He also knows where we need to make important progress in support of our students, faculty and staff. I look forward to working alongside him.”

At SDSU, Manning will be responsible for leading the strategic vision and direction for the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity. He will be responsible for teams that oversee the development of programs and services that provide transformational experiences for students.

Manning will also work closely with the University Senate and Associated Students to help ensure that the voices and interests of students, faculty and staff remain at the core of our strategic efforts and decision-making. To this work, he brings decades of experience in higher education leadership, research, crisis management support, efforts that facilitate harm reduction and in driving community building.

“SDSU’s deeply held commitment to student success, innovative diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging infrastructure, and expansive vision makes it one of the most exciting places to be in American higher education,” Manning said. “I am thrilled to join President de La Torre’s team and eager to serve the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity as we expand our impact as America’s public transborder university.”

At USC, Manning is responsible for creating and sustaining universitywide programs and initiatives that enhance diversity, equity and inclusion and that drive philanthropy, community partnerships, including those with Tribes and Indigenous communities, and also student and faculty retention and success. Manning has led and supported efforts that drive student engagement, aid in institutional sustainability, that help to ensure the visibility and support for those with disabilities, and that prioritize public safety, to include sexual assault prevention.

Prior to USC, Manning served in several leadership roles at Loyola University. While there, he was an associate professor of history, an ACE Fellow for a one-year term that began in 2019, and also served as the university’s inaugural associate provost of Academic Diversity, inaugural assistant provost of Academic Diversity and as advisor to the university president.

As a faculty member and academic program director, Manning has researched and taught on the topics of African American history, the Civil Rights-era movements and activism and America in the 21st century. He has also developed undergraduate curriculum aligned with outcomes-based models, advised students and supported faculty members in their professional development.

Manning earned both his Ph.D. and M.A. in history, both from Northwestern University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

De la Torre also thanked Christy Samarkos, who has served as interim vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity and chief diversity officer during the national search period.

“During this time, Samarkos has helped to ensure the continuity of the division’s strategic planning and operations and the high level of student support and engagement efforts to which the division is responsible,” de la Torre said, adding that, upon Manning’s arrival, Samarkos will support the leadership transition and then return to her permanent position as an Associate Vice President in the division.