David Schmitz
Lisa Millora, Vice President of Strategy and Institutional Affairs & Chief of Staff, will be leaving San José State University after a five-year tenure to advance her career at San Francisco Bay University in Fremont as its chief operating officer.
Millora started working at SJSU in January of 2019 and served as chief of staff and Vice President for Strategy and Institutional Affairs.
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said in a press release that Millora left with a sturdy reputation and was appreciated for her excellent leadership.
Millora’s tenure will end on Dec. 1, according to the same press release.
“I’m leaving because an opportunity dropped out of the sky for me to build a new model of higher education,” Millora said.
She said her departure has to do with some of the challenges that drew her to her new job involving solving climate change, fixing the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in a digital society, providing critical services to mental health, childcare for students with children and other basic needs.
Millora said she came to SJSU because she believed in the university’s educational goals, its commitment to public social justice, its diversity and its impact on Silicon Valley.
“I believe that public universities are one of the last bastions of diverse democracy, playing a critical role in creating access to the full benefits of democracy, such as social, political and economic,” Millora said.
Millora left SJSU with a positive impression on everyone around her, according to SJSU alumna Laura Gomez.
“My first impression of Lisa was very welcoming,” Gomez said. “She always had a huge smile on her face and listened to everything we had to say without judgment.”
Gomez said Millora’s personality has been emphasized by her work with the Student Homeless Alliance.
She said the shadow of Millora’s personality and likeability made her a campus-wide favorite.
Gomez also said Millora’s heart of gold always shined, even when it came to serious matters such as diversity, equity and inclusion or giving back to the SJSU community or the city of San José.
“Lisa has impacted students by supporting their goals and aspirations towards social justice and equity,” Gomez said.
Harish Chander, staff council chair, said his first encounter with Millora occurred during a “Coffee with the President” event, organized partially by Millora.
“She came across as exceptionally approachable and amiable, and our conversation involved a productive exchange of ideas,” Chander said.
He said Millora’s work ethic and humility combined with her impressive memory intrigued everyone around her.
Chander said Millora had a strong personality and an affinity for people and teamwork.
He also said she always made her work environment better than it was before with her ability to overcome obstacles and identify issues.
“She garnered widespread popularity among the staff and left a profoundly positive impression on them,” Chander said. “She consistently participated in staff council social events, engaging in vibrant discussions with the staff on various subjects.”
Chander said Millora’s accomplishments at SJSU cannot be recognized with a trophy and that her impact on the SJSU community from faculty members to students is deserving of respect.
“I have experienced a new depth of the nature of human resilience in watching our campus community go through different struggles over the years,” Millora said. “Sometimes very local, sometimes very global and on occasion, very existential. I will miss this community very deeply.”