California State University (CSU) Chancellor Mildred García has appointed Albert A. Liddicoat as interim vice chancellor for Human Resources, following the retirement of Vice Chancellor Leora Freedman. Liddicoat's appointment will begin July 29, 2024, and will conclude when the next regularly appointed vice chancellor is named. The position reports directly to the chancellor.
“Dr. Liddicoat is a skilled, mission-focused and employee-centric professional who has consistently demonstrated a servant-leader mindset," said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “He has also served with distinction on numerous systemwide committees and initiatives. I look forward to what I know will be his valuable contributions to the CSU in this important role."
As interim vice chancellor, Liddicoat will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction for the CSU's comprehensive human resources department and oversee collective bargaining, benefits, compensation, data research and analysis, policy development, learning and development, and Title IX, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, equal opportunity and whistleblower, compliance, programming and services.
“The CSU has the most dedicated employees, who every day play such a vital role in carrying out CSU's mission and supporting our students' educational and career goals," said Liddicoat. “The opportunity to serve the California State University and our employees as interim vice chancellor is a true honor."
Liddicoat is currently vice president for University Personnel and chief human resources officer at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he oversees the departments of Human Resources and Academic Personnel and the Civil Rights and Compliance Office. He has held that role since 2020.
Prior to that he served as vice provost for Academic Affairs and Personnel and interim dean of the Orfalea College of Business and director for the Computer Engineering Program. He began his administrative career in 2006 as the assistant vice president for Academic Personnel.
Liddicoat has held various leadership assignments at Cal Poly overseeing academic personnel, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Academic Affairs Technology Services, and Institutional Research. As well, he has participated in strategic planning, diversity equity and inclusion and has served on many CSU committees and in leadership roles. He also has been a faculty member at Cal Poly since 2002 and is currently the Forbes Professor of Computer and Electrical Engineering.
Liddicoat holds a Ph.D. and a master's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in industrial engineering and engineering management, all from Stanford University. He earned his bachelor's degree in electronic engineering from Cal Poly.
About the California State University
The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 450,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 127,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.