Charting a Bold Course with Heart

With a Focus on Collaboration and Shared Purpose, Stan State’s 13th president, Britt Rios-Ellis, is Partnering with the Campus and Broader Community to Shape a Bold Vision for the University's Future

by Donna Birch Trahan

The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity for President Britt Rios-Ellis.

Since taking the helm as Stanislaus State’s 13th president, she hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped. She’s been out and about across the Central Valley — connecting with students, faculty and staff; meeting with alumni, community leaders and elected officials — and has immersed herself in the vibrant life of Stan State and the region we serve.

For Rios-Ellis, it’s more than just settling into her new role. She’s building a shared vision for the University’s future.

“From the start, I could feel that this is a special place,” Rios-Ellis said. “Stan State has a deep sense of belonging that runs through every corner of this campus. It’s palpable. It’s a place where people feel seen and valued, and I’m honored to be part of this community.”

We have the power to transform the lives of our students and, by extension, their families and communities.

Her journey to Stan State’s presidency isn’t just the next step in her career. She sees it as an opportunity to amplify her life’s work of championing student success, equity and creating stronger communities.

Rios-Ellis understands the power of higher education to transform lives, especially for first-generation college students. She is a bilingual and bicultural higher education leader who has devoted much of her career to supporting underserved communities. A builder of strategic and collaborative teams, her goal has been to leave every place she has served stronger, fundamentally transforming the universities and communities she’s been a part of. She felt an immediate resonance with Stan State’s identity as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI).

“Being an HSI and MSI is more than just a designation,” said Rios-Ellis. “It embodies a commitment to inclusion, building agency and weaving in opportunities for our diverse students to resonate and shine. It’s about understanding and elevating the cultural wealth that our students bring. It’s about recognizing their resiliency, their linguistic strengths, their community bonds and making sure that they leave here equipped and empowered to lead in their careers and communities.”

Her deep commitment to students is part of her journey. Her connection to California’s agricultural heartland runs deep, dating back to her time conducting research and health outreach for migrant and Latina adolescents. She recalls how that experience shaped her passion for public health and redirected her entire career path.

“It was eye-opening and life-changing,” said Rios-Ellis. “That’s when I knew I wanted to focus on serving the communities that needed support the most.”

This passion led her to establish the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training at Cal State Long Beach, and later to become founding dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Each position she has sought and held has been about creating systemic change and building structures that uplift students, families and communities.

For Rios-Ellis and her husband, Dr. Enrique Rios-Ellis, the move back to California has been a homecoming. The couple shares a history with the region that goes back to their early days working with Teatro Nuestro, an offshoot of Teatro Campesino, where they used the power of theater to educate about human rights and social justice.

“Driving around and seeing the names of towns and places we visited years ago brings a sense of continuity to our lives,” Enrique Rios-Ellis said.

But Enrique, a musician and music educator, wants people to know something more about his wife.

“Britt is one of the most tenacious and passionate people I’ve ever known,” he said. “What people don’t always see right away is her ability to combine strength and compassion. She’s committed to what’s right and never shies away from tough decisions, but she does it all with genuine care for people. She leads with her heart.”

That combination of heart and strength is a defining aspect of Rios-Ellis’s leadership style. She’s been intentional about meeting with students, faculty and staff, listening to their concerns and gathering their input as she shapes the University’s path forward.

“Everyone here has a voice, and every voice matters,” she said. “We will move forward together. I see a tremendous opportunity for Stan State to be a catalyst for opportunity. Through strategic partnerships, we can create pathways that will serve our students and our region.”

She believes Stan State is not only an institution of higher learning, but a foundational pillar for the entire Central Valley — an anchor institution that can drive regional development and growth.

“We have the power to transform the lives of our students and, by extension, their families and communities,” she said. “We want to be the Central Valley’s partner of choice in cultivating a thriving, educated and resilient workforce.”

Everyone here has a voice, and every voice matters.

Part of this vision is the University’s continued impact in Stockton and San Joaquin County. With construction of the Stockton Campus’s new academic building underway, Stan State is further solidifying its presence as a dynamic hub for education and community engagement.

“Stockton is a growing, diverse community with incredible potential, and I see our Campus there as a cornerstone of the region’s educational and economic development,” she said.

“Our goal is to make Stockton a premier destination for education and to strengthen our role as a hub where students, families and local industries come together to build a brighter future.

“We want to offer programs that speak to local workforce needs and create opportunities for our students to get involved and give back. It’s about meeting students where they are and ensuring they have the resources to thrive, both academically and personally.”

Enrique Rios-Ellis sees this focus on impact and community as central to who Britt is, both professionally and personally.

“She’s focused on the students, the people and the mission of making things better for everyone around her,” he said. “She’s always thinking about the impact on the community and the people she serves.

“It’s never just about the institution for her — it’s about transforming lives.”

Leading with LOVE

Family is at the heart of everything the couple does. They have three children — Xochitl, an aspiring screenwriter and director; Enrique, a talented composer; and Itzel, a Latinx teaching art fellow at Root Division in San Francisco working with refugee and immigrant children.

“I often joke that I’m the most boring person in my family!” said Rios-Ellis, laughing. “But my life would be a fraction of what it is today without these incredible artists around me.”

The couple’s family also includes two beloved rescue dogs, Nene and Wilson, who accompanied them on their journey to the Central Valley.

Reflecting on her family and her work, Rios-Ellis brings her heart into everything she does — both figuratively and literally. It’s not unusual to see her wearing heartshaped jewelry, a reflection of her belief in leading with love and compassion.

“I believe we can bring love to work every day,” said Rios-Ellis. “It’s about showing up fully, caring deeply and creating a space where people can thrive.”

That’s exactly what she’s set on doing: making Stan State a place where everyone feels valued and supported, where people from every corner of the community can come together to succeed.

“We have the talent, the vision and heart,” Rios-Ellis said. “I have no doubt that together, we’ll achieve great things for Stan State and the entire Central Valley.”

I believe we can bring love to work every day. It’s about showing up fully, caring deeply and creating a space where people can thrive.