About the Executive Director

Diana M. Balgas

Dr. Diana Balgas is the Executive Director for Transfer Student Programs at Cal State East Bay. She has more than 29 years of experience in higher education, as an educator and administrator. She is responsible for the overall visioning and oversight of services provided to transfer students. Diana communicates and collaborates with units across the university to promote a supportive and nurturing campus environment for all students. She also serves on university and divisional committees, advisory boards, workgroups, and task forces.

Diana started her educational career at Chabot College in Hayward, California, and transferred to Cal State East Bay where she received her bachelor's degree in business administration and a master’s degree in counseling. In 2014, she earned her doctorate in educational leadership from San Francisco State University. She is also 2015 fellow of the Latino Board Leadership Academy. Diana is a third generation Puerto Rican American, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the first college graduate in her family.

Diana has an extensive background in developing, implementing, and administering programs for underserved, low-income, and racially and ethnically diverse populations. She has served as principal investigator for three federally funded TRiO grant programs (McNair Scholars, Student Support Services, and Upward Bound) and private foundation grants. She is also one of the original founders of the nationally recognized GANAS Program that targets and supports Latina/o community college transfer students and co-founder of the Renaissance Scholars Program that serves former foster youth.