CSUF Leaders Selected for Prestigious Higher Education Leadership Institute
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) administrators Sridhar Sundaram and Dave Edwards were recently selected for the 2026-27 cohort of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges’ (AGB) Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education.
This highly selective program brings together college and university leaders from across the country for mentorship, leadership training, and discussions about the future of higher education.
Their selection recognizes the work both have done at CSUF to expand opportunities for students, strengthen campus programs, and help the university continue evolving to meet student needs. Here’s a look at the work that helped these two leaders earn this recognition.
What Is the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance?
The AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education was created to help prepare experienced administrators for the demands of university leadership. Participants take part in mentoring sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on topics like institutional governance, strategic planning, and leading through change.
The program is also highly selective. Since it launched in 2019, fewer than 30 higher education leaders have been chosen for each cohort. Participants come from colleges and universities throughout the country and are selected based on their leadership experience, accomplishments, and potential for future leadership roles within higher education.
Sridhar Sundaram’s Leadership at the College of Business and Economics
Before joining CSUF in 2021, Sridhar Sundaram had already spent decades working in higher education as both a finance professor and university administrator. His experience in academic leadership helped position him to lead the university’s College of Business and Economics, one of the largest undergraduate business colleges in the nation and most recognized business schools in Orange County.
Since arriving at CSUF, Dr. Sundaram has overseen several initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for students and strengthening the college’s reputation. Under his leadership, the college introduced new academic programs, expanded international partnerships, and continued developing career-focused learning opportunities for students.
One example is the Titan Business Executive Fellow Program, which connects students with business professionals and industry mentors to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.
Dr. Sundaram has also helped lead the development of Landmark Hall, a new leadership hub currently under construction for the College of Business and Economics and has continued the university’s investment in Titan Capital Management Program that has won 7 straight Chartered Financial Analysts of Los Angeles Institute Research Challenges and were America’s Champions in 2023 and 2026.
How Dave Edwards Has Facilitated Student Support at CSUF
While academic leadership often receives much of the public attention at universities, student affairs leaders are also an important part of campus life and student success. Since joining CSUF in 2015, Dave Edwards has helped oversee programs and services that affect thousands of students both inside and outside the classroom.
As associate vice president and executive director of Associated Students Inc., Dr. Edwards leads one of the largest student-serving auxiliaries in the California State University system. The organization supports roughly 45,000 students through campus programs, student spaces, and wellness initiatives. During his time at CSUF, Dr. Edwards has helped lead projects such as the expansion of the Titan Student Union, the creation of the ASI Food Pantry, and the launch of the Beyond the Conversation speaker series.
Those efforts reflect a growing recognition among colleges and universities that student success depends on more than academics alone. Many students today face challenges related to food insecurity, mental health, financial stress, and social isolation. In response, universities across the country have expanded wellness programs and basic needs services in an effort to better support students throughout their college experience.
Dr. Edwards also played a key role in developing the ASI Student Wellness Initiative, which expands wellness resources, strengthens basic needs support, and creates campus spaces focused on belonging and community. Programs like these have become increasingly important as schools look for ways to improve student well-being, retention, and overall campus engagement.
What This Recognition Means for CSUF
National recognition programs like this can help raise the profile of a university beyond its own campus. When administrators from CSUF are selected for competitive leadership institutes, it shows that the university is producing leaders who are contributing to larger conversations about the future of higher education. Recognition at the national level helps reinforce the university’s reputation as a top public university.
The selection of Dr. Sundaram and Dr. Edwards also shows the broad range of leadership happening at CSUF. Dr. Sundaram’s work has focused heavily on academic growth, career preparation, and expanding opportunities within the College of Business and Economics, while Dr. Edwards has concentrated on student services, wellness initiatives, and campus life. Together, their recognition shows how universities rely on strong leadership in both academics and campus support systems to help students succeed.
Participation in programs like the Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education can also create long-term benefits for the university itself. Leaders return from these programs with new ideas, professional connections, and insights into how other institutions are addressing challenges facing higher education. Those experiences can influence future campus initiatives, partnerships, and strategic planning efforts.