Dr. Ruben Armiñana, President
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 664-2156
ruben.arminana@sonoma.edu
Professional Background
Dr. Ruben Armiñana became the sixth president of Sonoma State University in July, 1992. He is also professor of Political Science and teaches periodically. Dr. Armiñana is the former president of the Western College Association and also serves on several CSU systemwide committees.
Date and Place of Birth
May 15, 1947; Cuba
Citizenship
United States of America
Education
Ph.D., Political Science (Public Administration, International Relations,
and Comparative
Politics), University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1983.
Dissertation: Job Satisfaction in Municipal Government: The Incentives
Model, 1983.
M.A., Latin American Economics and Political Science, The University
of Texas at Austin, Texas, 1970. Thesis: Agricultural Policies and Production
in Cuba, (1966-1969), 1970.
B.A., Economics, Political Science, and Spanish, The University of Texas
at Austin, Texas, 1968.
A.A., Economics and Political Science, Hill Junior College (now Hill
College), Hillsboro, Texas, 1966.
Historical Perspective
During Dr. Arminana’s tenure as president of Sonoma State University, he has been successful in furthering the academic and instructional programs of the University, leading to Sonoma State University being one of the most popular campuses in the California State University. Under his leadership, the University has experienced a steady increase in private donor investment and has entered into numerous partnership programs with businesses and public institutions in the North Bay region.
He created the Educational Mentoring Team program, instituted the Assured
Access Program (requiring 24-hour access to personal computing for all
students), and supported the founding of the master's degree program
in Computer and Engineering Science in conjunction with the North Bay
technology community. From his vision, the
University is building the Donald and Maureen Green Music Center. Once complete it is expected to become a destination location for visitors from around the world. The Lifelong Learning Institute, a program for students over the age of 50, is extremely successfu and continues to expand. He has renewed the campus' commitment to diversity by the creation of the President’s Diversity Council.
Dr. Arminana also has overseen the development of the campus with the
construction of the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center and the
Environmental Technology Center, the renovation of Salazar Hall (to
offer a central location for all student services, along with modern
classrooms and laboratories), and the doubling of residential housing.
The building of the Recreation Center supports the co-curricular
life of students, and the renovation of Darwin Hall enhances
the University’s 21st science programs.
Previous to Sonoma State University, Dr. Armiñana served as Vice President for Finance and Development at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona from 1988-1992. Previously he served at Tulane University as Vice President/Assistant to the President. In addition, Dr. Armiñana held faculty appointments at both institutions, in Political Science at Pomona and in International Business and Political Science at Tulane.
