“Four decades shaping the future of universities.”

Prior to CSUSB, Nava served as Vice President of Advancement and President of the San Francisco State Foundation where he guided the university through all phases of a $150 million comprehensive campaign.

Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles in Institutional Advancement at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the University of California, Riverside.

“A trusted voice in governance and philanthropy.”

Throughout Robert’s career he has served on various boards working toward uplifting all communities through education, the arts, and public policy.  He is proud to have served on the Riverside Unified School District Board of Education that named Martin Luther King Jr. High School and Tomas Rivera Elementary School. During his time as a board member, he was an advocate for parent rights and bilingual education.   

Prior to his career in higher education, Robert was a staff member of the Orange County Human Relations Commission where he advocated on behalf of education and civil rights.

Nava is a frequent contributor to The Association of Governing Board’s Trusteeship Magazine and serves on the AGB Council of Foundation Executives.