Dr. Greg Sawyer, a seasoned higher education professional whose work has impacted the lives of thousands of students, will become the Vice President for Student Affairs at Sonoma State University, effective April 1.
Sawyer has served in Texas and Florida, and most recently served as Vice President for Student Affairs at CSU Channel Islands, where he established a nationally recognized student-centered Division. Under his leadership, CSUCI’s Division of Student Affairs has been recognized as one of the nation’s Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs for the past three years.
“I am excited that Greg Sawyer accepted our invitation to join the leadership team at Sonoma State,” said President Judy K. Sakaki. “He is a state and national leader among Student Affairs professionals and his commitment to the student affairs profession has been recognized repeatedly during his career. I am confident he will make a positive difference on campus and in the Division of Student Affairs.”
Sawyer began his career at the University of North Texas as a Residence Hall Director, where he later served as Coordinator of Intercultural Services, Assistant and Associate Dean of Students, and finally Dean of Students before relocating to southwest Florida where he served as the founding Chief Student Affairs Officer at the newly chartered Florida Gulf Coast University. After serving there for almost seven years, he was offered the opportunity to be part of a new state university in California – CSU Channel Islands – where he was founding Vice President for Student Affairs.
He earned a Ph.D. from University of North Texas, a master's degree from Eastern New Mexico University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Mount Union, in Alliance, Ohio.
Sawyer serves as a Governor-appointed Commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission and as faculty and co-director for the African American Male Summit of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.
Among his numerous awards are: Distinguished Service to the Profession and Pillar of the Profession by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators; Excellence in Practice Award by the American College Personnel Association; The Wang Family Excellence Award for outstanding administrator of the CSU system. In 2016, he was awarded the highest honor bestowed by a university president – the Presidential Medallion – at CSU Channel Islands by President Emeritus Richard R. Rush.