October 7, 2026
Visalia Convention Center
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

2026 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval, President, Fresno State University

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval is the ninth president of Fresno State and a proud son of the Central Valley, having emigrated from Mexico at age 10 and grown up working on his family’s small farm in Fowler. A longtime faculty member and academic leader, he has served Fresno State for more than two decades.

Since becoming president in 2021, Dr. Jiménez-Sandoval has guided the University to achieve Carnegie R2 doctoral research status, reaffirm its Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, and earn the Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose designation — distinctions that reflect Fresno State’s academic excellence, commitment to access and its mission of service. Under his leadership, Fresno State has risen in national rankings, including No. 2 in Washington Monthly’s 2025 national university rankings. The University also launched a five-year strategic plan in 2023, centered on student success, research, community partnership and inclusive excellence.

He previously served as Provost and as Dean of Arts and Humanities and is an expert in Spanish and Portuguese poetry. Dr. Jiménez-Sandoval holds B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from UC Irvine and serves on several national higher education and federal advisory boards. He and his wife, Dr. Mariana Anagnostopoulos, live in Fresno with their two sons, Leo and Arion.