Erika D. Beck began her tenure as President of California State University, Northridge in January 2021. Prior to her appointment, she had served as President of California State University Channel Islands since 2016 and as Provost and Executive Vice President at Nevada State College.

A strong advocate for the power of higher education to improve lives, transform the community and promote social mobility, President Beck works to ensure the academic success of students, so that they can become leaders in their communities and excel in today’s rapidly changing economy and society. This focus includes an unwavering commitment to advancing equity, inclusion and justice in service of a brighter and more equitable future.

She is also deeply committed to helping to advance the community and works with multiple regional, state-wide and national organizations, including service as a Board Member on the Santa Barbara Zoo and an honorary board member of the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation.

A native Californian, President Beck holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego; an M.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University; and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of California, San Diego where she also served as a faculty fellow. A former research associate at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, she has conducted research in the areas of developmental psychopathology and cognitive neuroscience. In addition to her formal education, she is actively engaged in the national dialogue regarding inclusive excellence and the use of data to improve student learning outcomes.

She was selected as a Woman of the Year by the California Women’s Caucus, one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times, a Woman of Distinction in Education by the National Association of Women in Business Leaders, and as a Top Female Business Leader in Education by the Las Vegas Business Press.