American River College President Lisa Cardoza was appointed commissioner of the California Student Aid Commission on March 3. The CSAC is a state agency that handles the various financial aid programs offered to students. Programs such as the Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship and California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant are covered under the CSAC’s banner.
Executive Director of the CSAC, Daisy Gonzales, says she is excited to see Cardoza’s appointment to the commission.
“Cardoza is an exceptional leader with extensive experience in higher education,” Gonzales said. “Her intersegmental experience and student-centered leadership will greatly benefit all students.”
Cardoza has had a long history in education, previously serving as vice president for University Advancement at Sacramento State and Executive Officer for The University Foundation.
“Cardoza has spent her career being an advocate for students from underserved communities, is deeply committed to seeing students succeed, and we look forward to working with her,” said CSAC Chairwoman Catalina Cifuentes in a press release.
Cardoza has experienced much in her career that can add to benefit the position of Commissioner, both as a faculty member but also as a student. As someone who has lived it, Cardoza can relate to the many difficulties that students face while working towards a degree in higher education.
“I was a teen mom when I went to college. And so, you know, just to be able to bring that perspective about how difficult it was to get to college, not being able to have a job, but needing money throughout the year, having to feed my family.” Cardoza said in an interview with the current. “So I think all of that gives me a very—just a unique voice in the room…when we’re talking about student aid.”
Being a beneficiary of different forms of aid such as scholarships, federal and grants, Cardoza can voice a perspective that potentially shines a light on areas that have not come to the forefront of discussions.
She previously graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a doctorate in educational leadership.
“In Texas, there’s a mechanism where a percentage of those dollars are redistributed back to other students. I don’t know that will work here,” Cardoza said, referring to the Texas Tuition Set-asides. “I’d like to just explore to see what that looks like.”
The Texas program was created to take off many of the burdens students have post-graduation. A percentage of their tuition payment goes towards helping students pay off debt and the amount set aside is based on how many hours the student has worked and the hourly cost of tuition.
Cardoza says she is excited to be a commissioner.
“I feel extremely fortunate and definitely empowered to be the voice for so many. Cardoza said, “I see myself as a representative not just of American River College, but of all community colleges in the state.”
