Dr. Frank R. Lamas, vice president of student affairs at University of Texas, Arlington, has been appointed to serve in the same position at Fresno State, university President Joseph Castro announced Feb. 14.
“I am ecstatic that Dr. Lamas is coming to Fresno State,” Castro said in a release. “His national reputation and accomplishments at UT Arlington and his comprehensive knowledge of student development and success and retention theory will be important assets as we seek to enhance student success at Fresno State.”
As vice president of student affairs, Lamas will report to Castro and serve as a member of the president’s cabinet. He will oversee 190 employees and 25 student service offices and programs. Those include enrollment, campus discipline, academic advising, migrant services, student activities and the University Student Union.
“I’m excited with the new opportunity to serve students and be a part of the administration at Fresno State,” Lamas said during a phone interview. “I’m going to be a Bulldog.”
Lamas’ focus upon arriving at Fresno State echoes Castro’s focus when he first took on the university presidency: listening.
“I plan to listen, learn and then act,” Lamas said. “I need to listen and learn the goals for student success and then provide programs to connect and engage students in the university.”
He said in his first month he plans to gain a better understanding of what the university is currently doing.
Though Lamas won’t take his position until summer, he has already been in touch with Associated Students, Inc. President Moses Menchaca.
“The mere fact that he called me and mentioned that he’s looking forward to meeting with me and meeting with the new leaders as they come in reassures that he is really good for the students,” Menchaca said.
Menchaca was part of the search committee for the candidates to fill the position after Dr. Paul Oliaro retired in December. Menchaca said that Lamas was a strong candidate and that he received positive feedback about him from other student leaders.
“He was more an advocate for the students, not necessarily a talker,” Menchaca said about Lamas.
The position was appealing for multiple reasons, Lamas said. Student success is a subject of interest to him, and he is happy to be working in enrollment affairs. He also said he is excited to work with Castro and the student leadership at Fresno State.
Though he has never lived in California, Lamas has a son living in Los Angeles and another in Scottsdale, Ariz. He looks forward to being closer to them.
“I had professional and personal interests in the position,” he said.
Lamas has close ties to the past vice presidents of student affairs of UT Arlington. He plans to contact Oliaro as well and establish a relationship with him.
“I plan to check in with him,” Lamas said.
Lamas has more than 30 years of experience in college administrative positions. He has been at his current position at UT Arlington for nine years, and prior to that, was an administrator at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. for 10 years.
He received his bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Postdam, a master’s from State University of New York at Albany, where he also received his doctorate degree in educational administration and policy studies. His dissertation and research interests include social and academic determinants of retention and student success among college students.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Lamas grew up in Syracuse, N.Y.
Lamas was recently elected board chairman of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, an organization of professionals in student affairs. He has served as an advisory board member since 1983.
Menchaca said the changes in major administration are exciting.
“I think with all of this energy that’s going around right now in administration, it’s going to trickle down and ignite a passion with staff, faculty and even students,” he said. “I think as President Castro often says, the future is bright for Fresno State.”
