To the University community:

Please join me in congratulating Joyce Lopes on her appointment as Vice President for Administration and Finance at Sonoma State University. I want to thank Joyce for her service and enormous contributions to Humboldt State.

During her five years here, Joyce modernized and improved the Division of Administrative Affairs and built a collaborative team serving Humboldt State and its students. She will be remembered for her dedication, work ethic, and wisdom in finding a balance between the broad strategic perspective and the details of implementation.  Joyce’s deep commitment to sustainability has contributed to the creation of our new Climate Action Plan and a continuing effort to reduce waste and energy use on campus, including strong student involvement in these efforts.  She has helped HSU focus on strategic budgeting, creating necessary reserves, and coordinate and prioritize capital projects.  And her collaborative work in the California State University system has served HSU very well in obtaining funding and support.

Joyce will be with us through the summer and begin at Sonoma State on August 14. I plan to make an interim appointment to provide critical leadership as we launch the search for our next Vice President for Administrative Affairs.  Details will be forthcoming soon.

While Joyce’s departure is a loss for Humboldt State, this is a wonderful career opportunity for Joyce and her family.  Although Joyce is leaving HSU, she is still a part of the CSU. We will miss her experience, her focus on students, and her sense of humor.  Please join me in wishing Joyce well.

Lisa A. Rossbacher, Ph.D.
President