President Alexander Gonzalez was appointed to the California Student Aid Commission by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Oct. 9.

As a board member for the commission, Gonzalez will work with 14 other commissioners to make higher education financially accessible to all Californians. He was recommended for the position to the governor’s office because of his accomplishments with the California State University system.

“Gonzalez has devoted his entire professional career to California higher education,” said CSU Chancellor Charles Reed in a letter to the governor’s office. “He is a champion for access and opportunity and understands the benefits a higher education brings to individuals as a life changer.”

Mike Naple, spokesperson for Schwarzenegger, said Gonzalez’s experience in the state’s higher education system qualified him to fill the CSU seat on the commission until October 2012.

The president began his career with the CSU system as an associate professor of La Raza studies at Fresno State University in 1979 and later became a full-time professor of psychology. After working his way up, Gonzalez became vice president of academic affairs. Before coming to Sacramento State, Gonzalez was president of CSU San Marcos.

“President Gonzalez has much experience and is committed to students, and opening the doors to education,” said John Kepley, special assistant to the president.

Gonzalez said he is looking forward to learning about financial aid on the state level and working on behalf of students.

“I want to make sure my participation in the commission will maximize our students’ access to a university education,” Gonzalez said.

The commission was created in 1955 by the California State Legislature to make public higher education affordable.

“As the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs ?, the commission has never wavered from its central mission – making education beyond high school financially accessible to all,” according to the student aid commission website.

The commission has administered more than $2.4 billion in grants and loans, including the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, Cal Grants and various financial aid programs.

In addition to Gonzalez, the commission has three members who have ties to Sacramento.

Barry Keene was a professor in the Masters of Public Policy and Administration program at Sac State.

Lorena Hernandez, who was appointed to the commission in February 2007, is a Sac State alumna with a bachelor’s degree in communication.

Patricia Fong Kushida, also a Sac State graduate, received her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1985. Fong Kushida is the president and CEO of the Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce.

Brittany Bottini can be reached at [email protected].