I am pleased to share several important interim leadership appointments within the Division of Student Affairs effective Monday, Sept. 8.
Dr. Gail Cole-Avent, Interim Associate Vice President of Student Health & Wellness
Dr. Cole-Avent will provide leadership to Student Health & Counseling Services, H.O.P.E. (Health, Outreach, Promotion, Education) & Wellness Center, Sexual Violence Advocacy & Education, and Disability Support Services. Campus Recreation will continue to report to her.
Dr. Cole-Avent brings more than 25 years of higher education experience. As the inaugural Associate Vice President of Student Life, she established holistic programming that integrated social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being while promoting student success through areas including Campus Recreation, the Student Leadership & Involvement Center, Student Life Centers, Veteran Services, and the University Student Union (USU). In addition to her work with students, she also has a strong record of supporting and advancing professional staff success.
During her tenure at CSUSM, she has built a more sustainable leadership structure that reduced costs, strengthened mentorship, and improved operational efficiency. She also provided leadership and support to the student-led fee referendum that will establish the Wellness and Recreation Facility, which will expand wellness, basic needs, recreational spaces and services to support the residential growth of the campus.
She has expanded services for all students by reducing barriers to success, addressing inequities and service gaps, and increasing utilization and quality. Operationally, she has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets and nearly 200 staff and student employees, aligning resources with institutional priorities. She has also guided accreditation processes, advanced assessment and accountability, and cultivated collaborative partnerships across the university.
Dr. Cole-Avent earned a Ph.D. in Education, Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia, a master's in counseling in Student Affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s in Speech and Communication Studies from Northwestern University, with an additional concentration in Women’s Studies and Leadership.
Sara Quinn, Interim Assistant Vice President of Student Life
Sara brings 23 years of progressive leadership experience at CSUSM, spanning strategic planning, fiscal and operational management, human resource development, crisis response, and organizational oversight.
Sara began her career as Clarke Field House Recreational Facility Manager in 2002 where she gradually expanded her portfolio to include Campus Recreation and the University Student Union (USU). In this role, she oversaw long-term planning and facility growth and led the USU alternative consultation to ensure students had a meaningful voice in fee-related decisions. As Executive Director of the USU, she provides organizational vision and operational leadership, managing a multimillion-dollar budget, and will continue to provide leadership to the USU. More recently, she co-led a comprehensive facility space review to support CSUSM’s commitment to opening two new Student Life Centers, which resulted in a tenant improvement project that has created new synergy across the centers.
Sara’s leadership has enriched campus life with innovative programs and services that foster connection and co-curricular learning. Over the years, she has played an instrumental role in shaping the vibrancy of Student Life, where student involvement, engagement, and expression are fully supported.
Sara earned a master’s of Public Administration from San Diego State University and a bachelor's in physical education and Exercise Science from Michigan State University.
Tony Pang, Interim Senior Director of Student Engagement & Leadership
As Interim Senior Director of Student Engagement & Leadership, Tony will continue to provide oversight for the Student Leadership & Involvement Center. In addition, Tony will guide our campus through upcoming residential growth by expanding after-hours and weekend programming, and strengthening compliance efforts at the systemwide, state, and federal levels.
He will also serve as the campus lead for free speech activities and demonstrations, by developing training for the Plaza Squad, and designing curriculum focused on expression, protest protocols, and campus and system policies. These efforts will equip the campus community to engage in dialogue with clarity and respect.
Tony earned a master's in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine.
I am confident that our students and campus will continue to thrive under the leadership of these dedicated professionals. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the entire Student Life team for their exceptional work and commitment, especially during this time of transition. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Cole-Avent, Sara Quinn, and Tony Pang on their new appointments.
In community,
Viridiana Diaz, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
