Vernon B. Harper Jr., Ph.D.
Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr. assumed the interim presidency of California State University, Bakersfield on Dec. 31, 2023, succeeding Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, the fifth president of the only four-year public institution in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The appointment was made by the chancellor of the California State University, the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation.
Before becoming interim president, Dr. Harper had served for more than three years as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at CSUB. In that critical role, Dr. Harper directed the academic life and faculty affairs at the university, as well as enrollment, retention, recruitment and graduation initiatives, community and educational partnerships and projects to promote research and innovation, among other critical areas.
Dr. Harper joined CSUB in 2016 as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Academic Programs and was named interim provost in 2019 before accepting the permanent role in 2020.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in communication from Pennsylvania State University, Harper continued his studies at West Chester University and received a master’s degree in rhetoric. He went on to complete his doctorate in human communication from Howard University, an HBCU.
He also served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve and is the recipient of the U.S. Army Achievement Medal and the Martin Luther King Unity Award. In addition, the Pennsylvania State Senate commended Dr. Harper for his work to expand diversity and inclusion.
Since arriving in Bakersfield, Dr. Harper has volunteered with a number of community organizations, including the United Way of Kern County, Kern County Literacy Council and Bakersfield Rotary Association, in addition to service with a number of professional associations and initiatives.
Dr. Harper’s wife, Dr. Erika Harper, also serves the CSUB community as the interim director of counseling psychology. The two have been married for 23 years and have three teenage children.
12/31/23
