UC Santa Barbara Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

UC Santa Barbara has 10 executives leading key functions including strategic oversight, financial management, information technology, and academic affairs.

Committed to fostering academic excellence and student success, UC Santa Barbara provides comprehensive resources and community support to empower transfer students throughout their university journey.

Leadership Roles at UC Santa Barbara

  • Chief Executive Officer - Jamesson Pias
  • Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer - Kerry Bierman
  • Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation - Christian Treitler
  • President, Second-Year Economics & Accounting Major - Shane Sato
  • Chief of Staff - Eric Rennie
  • Chief Information Officer, Office of & HR Partner - Valerie Janssens
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Officer - Joe Sabado
  • Technical Project Manager & Program Manager, Internship & Chief Information Officer, Office of - Rebecca Carroll
  • Executive Director, Academic Affairs and Chief of Staff To the Executive Vice Chancellor - Christian Villasenor
  • Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer - Joshua Bright
  • Jamesson Pias - Chief Executive Officer

    Jamesson Pias, the Chief Executive Officer at UC Santa Barbara, directs the overarching strategic vision for academic resource centers. Pias manages the alignment of institutional goals with the specific needs of the transfer student population. By overseeing the integration of peer mentoring and graduate support services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that the Transfer Student Center remains a vital hub for academic and social development. Pias coordinates with campus leadership to secure funding and resources that facilitate student well-being and career readiness. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of program efficacy to maintain high standards of support. Through the implementation of data-driven initiatives, Jamesson Pias drives the expansion of community-building efforts across the campus. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the long-term sustainability of academic support frameworks for the entire student body.

    Kerry Bierman - Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

    Kerry Bierman, the Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer at UC Santa Barbara, oversees the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the institution. Bierman manages the allocation of funds to support academic resource centers and student-focused programming. The Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial resources align with the university's commitment to providing comprehensive support for transfer students. By analyzing budgetary requirements, Bierman maintains the stability of essential services and infrastructure. This leadership role involves collaborating with campus stakeholders to prioritize investments in student well-being and academic advising. Kerry Bierman directs the financial strategy to maximize the impact of available resources on student outcomes. Through prudent fiscal management, the Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer supports the long-term growth and operational success of the university's academic mission.

    Christian Treitler - Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation

    Christian Treitler, the Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation at UC Santa Barbara, manages the endowment and philanthropic assets that support university initiatives. Treitler directs the financial strategy for the foundation to ensure consistent funding for academic resources and student support programs. The Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation oversees investment portfolios and donor-funded accounts that provide critical aid to the Transfer Student Center. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, Treitler ensures transparency and accountability in the management of institutional assets. This role involves working closely with the board to align philanthropic goals with the university's strategic priorities. Christian Treitler optimizes the financial structure to sustain long-term support for student success and academic excellence. Through strategic asset management, the Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation secures the necessary capital to advance the university's mission.
    Christian Treitler

    Shane Sato - President, Second-Year Economics & Accounting Major

    Shane Sato, the President, Second-Year Economics & Accounting Major at UC Santa Barbara, leads student-driven initiatives that foster community and peer support. Sato manages the organization of workshops and events that address the academic and social needs of transfer students. The President, Second-Year Economics & Accounting Major oversees the outreach efforts that connect students with campus resources and mentoring opportunities. By representing the student perspective, Sato ensures that programs remain relevant and impactful. This role involves collaborating with university administration to advocate for the needs of the transfer community. Shane Sato drives the development of peer-led programming that enhances the overall student experience. Through active leadership, the President, Second-Year Economics & Accounting Major contributes to the success and well-being of the transfer student population at the university.

    Eric Rennie - Chief of Staff

    Eric Rennie, the Chief of Staff at UC Santa Barbara, manages daily operations and internal communications for the executive office. Rennie facilitates the execution of strategic priorities by coordinating between various academic departments and the Transfer Student Center. The Chief of Staff monitors project timelines and ensures that administrative workflows support the mission of student success. By streamlining communication channels, Rennie improves the efficiency of resource delivery to transfer students. This role involves preparing briefings for senior leadership and managing high-level institutional initiatives that impact the broader campus community. Eric Rennie maintains organizational focus on key performance indicators related to student retention and academic achievement. Through rigorous oversight of administrative processes, the Chief of Staff optimizes the operational capacity of the university to meet evolving educational demands.

    Valerie Janssens - Chief Information Officer, Office of & HR Partner

    Valerie Janssens, the Chief Information Officer, Office of & HR Partner at UC Santa Barbara, directs the digital infrastructure and human resources alignment for the administrative offices. Janssens manages the integration of technology solutions that support academic advising and student resource accessibility. The Chief Information Officer, Office of & HR Partner oversees the implementation of systems that streamline HR processes and improve staff productivity. By bridging the gap between technical requirements and human capital management, Janssens ensures that the university's digital tools effectively serve the needs of the campus community. This role involves coordinating with IT and HR teams to enhance operational efficiency and data security. Valerie Janssens drives the modernization of administrative workflows to support the university's academic goals. Through strategic oversight, the Chief Information Officer, Office of & HR Partner maintains a robust and responsive organizational environment.
    Valerie Janssens

    Joe Sabado - Deputy Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Officer

    Joe Sabado, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Officer at UC Santa Barbara, architects the scalable cloud infrastructure and digital platforms that power student services. Sabado manages the deployment of campus-wide technology initiatives that facilitate access to academic resources and peer mentoring tools. The Deputy Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Officer oversees the security and reliability of information systems that support the Transfer Student Center. By leading the technical strategy, Sabado ensures that students have seamless access to digital advising and support services. This role involves collaborating with academic departments to integrate new technologies into the student experience. Joe Sabado drives innovation in digital service delivery to improve student engagement and academic success. Through the management of complex IT projects, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Officer maintains the technological foundation of the university.
    Joe Sabado

    Rebecca Carroll - Technical Project Manager & Program Manager, Internship & Chief Information Officer, Office of

    Rebecca Carroll, the Technical Project Manager & Program Manager, Internship & Chief Information Officer, Office of at UC Santa Barbara, executes the development of internship programs and technical projects. Carroll manages the coordination between academic departments and industry partners to provide students with career-ready experiences. The Technical Project Manager & Program Manager, Internship & Chief Information Officer, Office of oversees the implementation of digital platforms that track student progress and internship placements. By managing project lifecycles, Carroll ensures that programs meet the needs of the transfer student population. This role involves aligning technical requirements with educational objectives to enhance student outcomes. Rebecca Carroll drives the expansion of internship opportunities through effective program management and stakeholder engagement. Through the oversight of these initiatives, the Technical Project Manager & Program Manager, Internship & Chief Information Officer, Office of supports the university's career development mission.
    Rebecca Carroll

    Christian Villasenor - Executive Director, Academic Affairs and Chief of Staff To the Executive Vice Chancellor

    Christian Villasenor, the Executive Director, Academic Affairs and Chief of Staff To the Executive Vice Chancellor at UC Santa Barbara, directs the administrative and academic policy frameworks. Villasenor manages the coordination of academic affairs to ensure that student support services align with institutional standards. The Executive Director, Academic Affairs and Chief of Staff To the Executive Vice Chancellor oversees the implementation of policies that govern academic advising and student resource centers. By facilitating communication between the Executive Vice Chancellor and academic departments, Villasenor ensures the smooth operation of university programs. This role involves managing high-level projects that impact the academic experience of transfer students. Christian Villasenor drives the strategic alignment of academic initiatives to promote student success. Through rigorous oversight, the Executive Director, Academic Affairs and Chief of Staff To the Executive Vice Chancellor maintains the integrity of the university's academic mission.

    Joshua Bright - Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer

    Joshua Bright, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at UC Santa Barbara, directs the long-term IT strategy and digital transformation of the campus. Bright manages the infrastructure that supports academic research and student resource centers. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer oversees the development of secure and accessible digital environments for the entire university. By prioritizing investments in emerging technologies, Bright ensures that the institution remains at the forefront of educational innovation. This role involves leading large-scale IT initiatives that enhance the efficiency of academic and administrative services. Joshua Bright drives the adoption of advanced computing solutions to support the university's research and teaching goals. Through strategic leadership, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer maintains the technological excellence of the campus.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding UC Santa Barbara Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads UC Santa Barbara?
    UC Santa Barbara is led by Jamesson Pias (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Kerry Bierman (Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer) and Christian Treitler (Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation).
    Who is part of UC Santa Barbara’s executive team?
    The executive team of UC Santa Barbara includes leaders such as Jamesson Pias (Chief Executive Officer), Kerry Bierman (Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer), Christian Treitler (Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does UC Santa Barbara have?
    UC Santa Barbara has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in UC Santa Barbara’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of UC Santa Barbara includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Ucsb Foundation, President, Second-Year Economics & Accounting Major, Chief of Staff.