About the Provost

As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Terri Gomez serves as the university's chief academic officer and a member of the President's Cabinet. She provides strategic leadership for Academic Affairs, overseeing eight academic colleges, the University Library, the College of Professional and Global Education, faculty affairs, enrollment management, research, academic planning, and student success initiatives.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Gomez began her higher education journey at San Bernardino Valley College before transferring to UCLA, where she earned her bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in Political Science. She joined the Cal Poly Pomona faculty in 1999 and advanced to Full Professor in the Department of Ethnic and Women's Studies before transitioning into academic leadership. During her 27-year career at the university, she has served as Department Chair, Interim Associate Dean, Associate Vice President for Student Success, Associate Provost for Student Success, Equity and Innovation, Interim Provost, and, since May 2024, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Recognized nationally for her leadership in student success, Dr. Gomez has championed innovative, equity-centered strategies that strengthen academic achievement, improve graduation and transfer outcomes, expand research opportunities, and enhance institutional effectiveness. She has led transformative initiatives in academic innovation, artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, career-connected education, enrollment strategy, and regional K–16 partnerships that increase educational access and workforce readiness. Throughout her career, she has secured and managed more than $10 million in grant funding to support student success, educational pathways, and faculty innovation.

Dr. Gomez is deeply committed to advancing public higher education through collaboration, shared governance, and community partnerships. She serves on the Board of Directors for Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) and the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation and has completed executive leadership programs through HERS, Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley Executive Leadership Academy, and the California State University Leadership Academy. Her leadership reflects an unwavering commitment to educational equity, social mobility, and preparing students to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.