Bonnie Zimmerman assumed the leadership of Faculty Affairs in May 2003. She previously served as Chair of the University Senate. Dr. Zimmerman came to San Diego State University in 1978 as a member of the Women’s Studies Department, where she served as department chair from 1986 to 1992 and from 1995 to 1997. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in English from State University of New York at Buffalo.

For over thirty years, through her research, teaching, and program development, she was instrumental in fostering the growth of women’s studies and lesbian studies. Dr. Zimmerman has been an active member of the Modern Language Association and, most prominently, the National Women’s Studies Association, of which she served as President in 1998-99. She has also served on the editorial boards of five scholarly journals. She has published four books and over two dozen scholarly articles and lectured at major universities across the country. She has been active in University governance and committee work throughout her career at SDSU.

As Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, Dr. Zimmerman oversees:

Academic Support, directing and supporting academic personnel regarding implementation of the Unit 3 faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement; holding meetings and workshops on faculty-related matters for department chairs, faculty, and staff; hosting special events and workshops to welcome new tenure-track faculty to the University.

Evaluation, managing the processes for reappointment, tenure, promotion, and periodic evaluations.

Faculty Awards Programs, implementing and managing Alumni Awards, Wang Awards; collaborating with Graduate and Research Affairs on University Grants Program.

Leaves, managing the Sabbatical and Difference-In-Pay Leave process, and Professional/Personal Leave Without Pay requests.

Resignation/Retirement/Reduced Worktime Programs, processing requests for retirement, resignations, and related retirement programs such as the Faculty Early Retirement Program and Pre-Retirement Reduction in Time Base.

Personnel Action Files, managing official personnel action files for all tenure-track Unit 3 faculty members, and providing guidance and support to college and departmental offices to manage temporary personnel action files.

Faculty Visas, managing faculty and foreign scholar immigration matters for the University, and assisting in the hiring process of foreign scholars.

Grievances/Complaints/Litigation Matters, handling faculty grievance, arbitration, and litigation procedures and investigations.

Reprimands/Disciplinary Action, investigating and resolving complaints involving faculty and evaluating potential disciplinary matters on behalf of the President.