Danielle Garcia

As associate vice chancellor and chief of staff, Danielle Garcia directly supports and serves as a key strategist and advisor to the chancellor, oversees the operations of the Executive Office, and provides strategic planning and implementation support with respect to current and emerging issues and opportunities.

Previously, Danielle served as chief of staff at California State University, Fullerton, where she advised the president and the president’s cabinet; managed the Office of the President; oversaw the progress of the university’s strategic initiatives, including diversity, equity and inclusion priorities; and worked on the development and implementation of the strategic plan. Prior to assuming the chief of staff role, Danielle served in the Office of the President in various other capacities, including as assistant to University Counsel, university project manager and deputy chief of staff. Before joining Cal State Fullerton, she worked in faculty affairs at California State University, Los Angeles.

Danielle is an equity-minded and student-focused leader who has dedicated her career to creating a richer, more equitable and more inclusive experience for students, faculty and staff. In addition, she is an Excelencia in Education Policy Fellow for Equity Innovation and a member of the Latino Advisory Council for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

A first-generation college student, Danielle earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in educational leadership, both from Cal State Fullerton. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in educational leadership at California State University, Fresno.