Beth Lesen

I am a student affairs and enrollment leader with over two decades of experience in higher education administration, student development, and institutional leadership, currently serving as Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment at California State University, Long Beach, a role I have held since June 2020, where I serve as the Senior Student Affairs Officer reporting directly to the president of a large, diverse, public university with a mission of access, with a portfolio that includes traditional student affairs departments, enrollment management, and 501(c)(3) auxiliary organizations.

Prior to this role, I served as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at California State University, Sacramento for eight years, where I oversaw a comprehensive portfolio including Academic Advising, Orientation, Career Center, Housing and Residence Life, Student Life and Leadership, Student Conduct, Multicultural Center, Women's Resource Center, PRIDE Center, Services to Students with Disabilities, Testing, Associated Students, Guardian Scholars, and Parents and Families Program, and served as Co-Chair of the First Year Experience and the Sacramento State Graduation Initiative.

Earlier in my career, I spent six years at The City College of New York in progressively responsible roles, including Executive Director of Student Affairs for over two years, where I oversaw Counseling, Health and Wellness, Student Life, Career Center, International Student Services, Services to Students with Disabilities, and served as Chair of the Behavioral Intervention Team and ADA and 504 Compliance Coordinator, and as Executive Director of Access, Wellness, and Counseling for over a year, and Director of Student Disability Services for over two years.

I also served as Adjunct Associate Professor at Hunter College for nearly one year, where I taught clinical supervision at the graduate level, and at Touro University for six years, where I taught graduate courses in counseling, school psychology, education, and assessment.

Across my career in higher education leadership, student affairs, and enrollment management, my work has been driven by a commitment to access, equity, and student success, creating inclusive and supportive environments where all students can thrive academically and personally. Whether I am leading university-wide student affairs initiatives, developing enrollment strategies, or teaching the next generation of counselors and educators, I bring a strategic, collaborative, and student-centered approach that has made a lasting impact on the institutions and students I have served. I am proud of the work I have done throughout my career and excited to continue advancing student success and institutional excellence at California State University, Long Beach.