Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer
California State University, Bakersfield
Chris Diniz is the Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at California State University, Bakersfield, where he leads Information Technology Services across infrastructure, security, enterprise applications, academic technology, and campus support. He guided CSUB through the first-in-the-nation OpenAI university partnership, positioning the campus as a national example of how a Hispanic-Serving Institution can put emerging technology to work for students, faculty, and staff.
His work centers on making advanced technology practical and accessible, connecting global innovation to local opportunity throughout Kern County. At CSUB he serves on the Provost Council and helps lead initiatives spanning artificial intelligence, workforce development, and student success, including RIO, the university's own AI assistant built in its own environment with a regional technology partner.
Elected to the California State University Chief Information Officer Executive Committee, Chris helps shape technology strategy across the CSU, the nation's largest public university system. Before entering higher education, he built his career in banking, leading modernization at San Joaquin Bank and helping stand up Valley Republic Bank, a de novo institution that grew past one billion dollars in assets.
Chris is a doctoral candidate in Florida Atlantic University's Executive PhD program, where his research examines the motivation behind AI adoption and use in the workforce. He is a longtime advocate for expanding access to technology, education, and economic opportunity across the region, and a driving force behind NextTech Kern's mission to make Kern County a place where innovation and opportunity meet.
Faculty Opportunities with ITS
Information Technology Services partners with faculty to shape strategy, support research and enhance academic experiences - explore current opportunities below or contact the CIO’s Office for additional support.