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Tomás A. Arciniega, CSU President Emeritus, served as president of California State University, Bakersfield for 21 years (1983-2004). As president and professor of educational administration, he was the chief executive officer of this institution which, since its early history, has enjoyed an outstanding reputation, and has a rapidly growing multi-ethnic population that it serves. CSUB is well on its way to becoming a regional comprehensive university.
President Arciniega was born in El Paso, Texas, the son of Mrs. Judith Weirich and Tomás Arciniega (deceased). He is married to the former Concha (Connie) Ochotorena and has four daughters: Wendy, an assistant principal; Lisa, Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico; Judy, M.A. at Stanford University and, currently, an industrial engineer with Procter and Gamble; and Laura attended the USC Law School.
Prior to coming to Cal State Bakersfield, Dr. Arciniega served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University, Fresno; was Dean, College of Education at San Diego State University; and Associate Graduate Dean and Chair of Educational Administration at the University of Texas, El Paso. At each of these institutions, including Cal State University, Bakersfield, Dr. Arciniega has been a tenured faculty member.
Dr. Arciniega’s professional background includes education research in the U.S.; applied technical consulting and development work in international settings; and extensive service on boards, commissions, and within professional organizations. He is Trustee Emeritus, Carnegie Corporation of New York Foundation; and was Presidential appointee to the National Council on Education Research. Other key National and State affiliations include: Member, Board of Directors, Aspen Institute; Member, Air University Board of Directors; Member, Board of Trustees, Educational Testing Service; Founding Member, Board of Trustees, Tomás Rivera Policy Institute, Claremont Colleges; Member, Board of Directors, National Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Past President, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); Member, Telecommunications Advisory Panel, Pacific Bell; Member, Board of Directors, Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA). Dr. Arciniega enjoys an international reputation as a scholar and administrator, is much sought after as a speaker on all aspects of higher education, and has served as technical consultant to many organizations including the Ministry of Education in Honduras, Bolivia, Panama, and Guatemala. He has an extensive publication record which is much too long to list here, and has been distinguished by numerous honors and awards.
Dr. Arciniega is widely recognized as an expert in the field of multi-cultural education with particular interest in and emphasis on bilingual education, which he has furthered by special initiatives throughout his career, as his many national honors and awards attest.
In addition, he also has distinguished himself as a specialist in the field of institutional development and change. Change magazine selected Dr. Arciniega as one of the top 100 academic leaders in American Higher Education. He is respected for his leadership dealing with issues of equity and humanizing education.
Dr. Arciniega and his family enjoy sports. He is a former scholar-athlete (football and baseball) and enjoys racquetball “seminars.”
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