New president appointed to CSU Monterey Bay

The California State University Board of Trustees announced Wednesday that Vanya Quiñones would become the fourth president of the CSU Monterey Bay campus.

Quiñones is currently a provost and executive vice president for academic affairs a Pace University in New York. Her presidency will begin Aug. 15.

“Earning a degree from CSUMB is a transformative experience that leads to life-changing opportunities for students and their families,” Quiñones said. “I am honored by this opportunity and eager to collaborate with the talented faculty, staff, administrators, students and all members of the CSUMB community as we collectively work to provide even greater access to a high-quality education and improve the achievement of our talented and diverse students.”

Quiñones is a neurobiologist and biopsychologist. She’s spent more than 20 years teaching in the City University of New York, Hunter College. Quiñones has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in cell biology from the Univerity of Puerto Rico, and a Ph.D. in neurobiology and physiology from Rutgers University.

Quiñones will receive an annual salary of $370,000 and will be required to live in the university’s presidential residence located in Marina. She’ll also receive a $ 1,000-a-month auto allowance. Her contract also includes the ability to retreat to the faculty following her presidency with tenure in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Monterey Bay.