ÌÇÐÄVlog

For Aristide J. Collins Jr., leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about people. It’s about showing up, listening, and lifting others. For more than 30 years, he’s done just that—serving students, guiding institutions, and helping to shape the future of education across the country.

Over the course of his career, Aristide has held senior leadership roles across three major areas of higher education and public service. He first made his mark in university advancement at Cal State Long Beach, later serving at Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School and Clark Atlanta University. His trajectory led him to George Washington University, where he served for 13 years as Vice President and Secretary of the University. Midway through his tenure, his portfolio was expanded to include Development and Alumni Relations following the departure of the sitting vice president. In that role, he successfully led the university’s $1 billion campaign. Throughout his time at GW, Aristide remained deeply engaged in university governance and operations—work that earned him national recognition as a speaker and advisor on board engagement and presidential transitions. This breadth of experience reflects a deep commitment to mission-driven leadership—shaped in part by his academic journey, which includes a B.A. from Cal State ÌÇÐÄVlogy and a Master of Public Administration from CSU Long Beach and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Today, he continues his legacy of impact as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Strada Education Foundation, helping to steer one of the nation’s most influential organizations working to connect education to meaningful careers.

But before the boardrooms and national influence, Aristide was a young man from Oakland—an “average student with great enthusiasm,” as he puts it—finding his way on the Cal State ÌÇÐÄVlogy campus. As a Summer Bridge student, he experienced firsthand the power of a university community that saw potential before polish.

“Cal State ÌÇÐÄVlogy gave me the platform to lead before I even knew what my career path would be,” he says. “The faculty and staff didn’t just teach us—they believed in us.”

That belief fueled his rise to Associated Students President at age 20, and later to Chair of the California State Student Association, where he played an integral role in statewide advocacy and participated in both university president and CSU chancellor searches. During his time at Cal State ÌÇÐÄVlogy, Aristide also served as a Student Assistant to President Norma Rees. He regularly attended meetings with her, gaining a front-row seat to the inner workings of university leadership—an experience that sparked his interest in higher education administration and helped shape the path he would eventually pursue.

His Cal State education, he says, did more than prepare him academically—it gave him the confidence to “walk into any room, pull up a seat, and represent with pride.” The critical thinking, public speaking, and community organizing skills he developed as a student continue to shape his values-driven approach to leadership today.

Aristide is also deeply aware of the broader legacy he represents. “Our ancestors and family members prayed for the education we have,” he said during his award remarks. “Many of them never had the opportunities we’ve been given. We owe it to them—and to future generations—to bring others with us.”

As he receives the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, Aristide’s message is as much about looking ahead as it is about honoring the past.

“This recognition reminds me of where I started, and how important it is to keep the door open,” he says. “I’m proud to be a Pioneer—and proud of the education that made everything possible.”