Jerlena Griffin-Desta

Jerlena Griffin-Desta is the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Diversity at Sonoma State University. Jerlena has dedicated their career to higher education, student development, and diversity initiatives.

Jerlena started their career in 1989 as the Assistant Director of Residential Life at UCLA. Jerlena then moved to UC Berkeley in 1995 and became the Executive Director of Student Development. In 2007, Jerlena became the Vice President/Dean of Students - Student Services at Reed College.

In 2008, Jerlena returned to the University of California Office of the President as the Executive Director. In 2011, they were promoted to Associate Vice President, Student Development & Engagement, & Deputy to the VP- Student Affairs. Jerlena remained in this role until 2019 when they left to become the Chief Of Staff to the President/AVP Strategic Initiatives and Diversity at Sonoma State University.

Jerlena Griffin-Desta's educational career began at Camden County High School. Jerlena then attended Mercer University, where they earned a Bachelor of Science. After that, they pursued a Master's Degree in Education Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Finally, they earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Policy, Organization, Measurement, and Evaluation from the same school.

Some of their coworkers include Monir Ahmed - Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Jacob Yarrow - Executive Director, Green Music Center, and Gerald Jones - Vice President for Student Affairs. Their manager is Ming-Tung Lee, President.