Leadership

Vanya Quiñones is a neurobiologist, biopsychologist, and noted researcher who has published more than 70 peer-reviewed papers. She’s accumulated a 30-plus-year career working in scientific research, academic administration, program- and research-focused fundraising, student success, and diversity in the arts and sciences. 

Quiñones was born in the small beach town of Arecibo in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, and grew up in the country’s capital city of San Juan. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and a master of science degree in cell biology from the University of Puerto Rico, and a doctorate in neurobiology and physiology from Rutgers University.

She went to work at New York's Rockefeller University as an postdoctoral associate and later a research associate, and in 1997 became an adjunct research faculty member and guest scientist in its Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases. From 2005 to 2008 she served as the program head of the Graduate Center’s Biopsychology and Neuroscience Doctoral Graduate sub-Program in New York.

She was one of a handful of research pioneers that described gender differences in the brain, and helped change the course of future research in that area. 

Quiñones worked for 21 years at the City University of New York (CUNY) - Hunter College, where she served as an assistant, associate, and full professor in the Department of Psychology before being appointed to serve as the chair of the department. She was later promoted to the role of associate provost for Student Success and Retention. 

At CUNY she brought in more than $25 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, private foundations, and the Department of Education, much of which was dedicated to supporting the work of underrepresented minorities.

She served as provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Pace University in New York, starting in July 2018. She had oversight of all academic and student-related academic offices and personnel as well as Information Technology. She also held the rank of full professor in the Department of Psychology. 

Quiñones is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, and the Society for Neuroscience. Her academic and professional honors include Outstanding Undergraduate Mentors in the Sciences at Hunter College and multiple CUNY Faculty Scholar Awards, and she has directed research and student training programs including the Mellon Art Program and the PI McNair Program at Hunter College. 

She enjoys hiking, running, and lifting weights, describes herself as a soccer fan, and devotes time to volunteering with homeless populations and serves on the board of a homeless shelter. 

She tries to lead with gratitude, and subscribes to a South African proverb that approximately translates to: "I am because we are."

Enjoy coffee, tea, light refreshments, and an opportunity to engage with the President and Provost. This monthly event is open to all faculty and staff of the university and the University Corporation of Monterey Bay. All sessions will be held in the Administration Building Conference Room, Building 1.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to stop by and meet one or more members of Cabinet each week to say hello and learn more about their roles at CSUMB and their vision for the future of our campus. One or more members of the Cabinet are present each Thursday from 10-11 a.m. Admin Bldg Conference Room, Building 1, when school is in session.

Throughout the year, the CSUMB President opens University House, the president’s residence on campus, for a variety of engagement opportunities. These occasions include welcome-back events, community holiday celebrations, and times for smaller groups to connect and share ideas. Check the CSUMB events calendar for more information.