Lisa Cardoza proudly serves as the first Latina President of American River College, one of the largest 2-year public institutions in the country. American River College serves over 32,000 students, has the largest community college Apprenticeship program in California, and is focused on improving the success of our disproportionately impacted students as both a Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving Institution.

Lisa previously served as Vice President for University Advancement at Sacramento State leading its first comprehensive fundraising campaign, On the Rise, raising nearly $240 million. Prior to that role, she was Chief of Staff and interim Vice Presidents for Advancement and for Human Resources to President Robert S. Nelsen.

With a focus on empowering the next generation of leaders and making an impact in the community and the state, Lisa serves on numerous community boards and councils, including Improve Your Tomorrow, Greater Sacramento Urban League, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, Street Soccer USA-Sacramento, Dignity Health Community Board, Impact100, Executive Committee for the 1300 Campaign, and the Creciente Latinx Leadership Program’s Advisory Council. In recognition of her service, she was named a Latino Changemaker and received the American Leadership Forum-Mountain Valley Chapter Exemplary Leader award. She was also recently appointed to the California Student Aid Commission and as the Big 8 Conference representative to the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A).

Lisa earned a BA and MA from Stanford University and an EdD from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is also the very proud mother of two boys, Gabriel and Diego.