Robin Holmes-Sullivan | |
|---|---|
| 26th President ofLewis & Clark College | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Wim Wiewel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robin Helene Holmes (1964-09-24)September 24, 1964 (age 61) South Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | California State University, Fullerton (BA,MA) California School of Professional Psychology (MA,PhD) |
Robin Helene Holmes-Sullivan (born September 24, 1964)[1] is an American academic and psychologist serving as the president ofLewis & Clark College. She is the first woman, firstperson of color, and first openlyLGBTQ person to become the president of the college. Holmes-Sullivan previously served as the vice president for student affairs of the 10-campusUniversity of California system.[2]
Robin Helene Holmes was born on September 24, 1964 inSouth Carolina.[1] She is the fourth of five children. Her family frequently moved because her father was in theUnited States Marine Corps. After her father was stationed at theMarine Corps Air Station El Toro when she was 3-years-old, her family stayed inCalifornia.[3] Holmes-Sullivan graduated fromEl Toro High School in 1982.[4]
Holmes-Sullivan attendedCalifornia State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where she studiedpsychology.[2] She was the startingpoint guard for CSUF'sNCAA Division I women's basketball team.[5] Her goal was to play for theUSA women's basketball team in the1988 Olympics.[6] Holmes-Sullivan continues to hold theBig West championship record for bestfree throw percentage (tied with Natasha Parks of theUniversity of California, Irvine and Alli Nieman of theUniversity of Idaho).[7]
After receiving herBachelor of Arts in psychology in 1986, Holmes-Sullivan continued to get aMaster of Arts in psychology from CSUF. She later attended the California School of professional Psychology where she received aMaster of Arts in 1990 and aDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 1992, both inclinical psychology.[2]
Holmes-Sullivan began her career at the counseling center at theUniversity of Oregon, where she later became the dean of students and the vice president of student life.[4]
After 25 years at the University of Oregon, Holmes-Sullivan became the vice president for student affairs of theUniversity of California, a 10-campus university system with more than 200,000 students.[2]
Holmes-Sullivan later became the vice president for student life and dean of students ofLewis & Clark College.[8] She was praised for her management of theCOVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the student body.[9]
In January 2022, Lewis & Clark College announced that Holmes-Sullivan would become the president of the college the following July.[10] She became the first woman, firstperson of color, and the first openlyLGBTQ person to hold the position.[11]
In September 2022,State TreasurerTobias Reed appointed Holmes-Sullivan to the five-member Oregon529 Savings Board. The board oversees the administration of the Oregon College Savings Plan and advises the state administration on the Oregon ABLE Savings Plan.[12]
In March 2024, thePortland Business Journal honored Holmes-Sullivan as a "Woman of Influence."[13]
Holmes-Sullivan maintains a career as a privateclinical psychologist.[14] She specializes in treatinganxiety,depression, andLGBTQ clients.[15] Holmes-Sullivan is also a consultant formulticultural organizational development anddiversity issues.[16]
Holmes-Sullivan isgay.[17] She met her wife, Kathy Sullivan, in 1993 while working in the counseling center at theUniversity of Oregon. Kathy is aclinical social worker. They raised their two sons inEugene, Oregon.[3]