This past July, Dr. Denise Seabert left Pensacola, Florida and settled in her new temporary home just a few minutes walk from the Fresno State campus. From her view each evening, the sun sets peacefully over campus, bringing with it a radiant glow — a sign of new beginnings.

For Seabert, this is indicative of her own professional journey which has taken her all over the U.S., from the midwest to the east coast and back to the west coast where she originally hails. In July, she began her new journey as dean of the College of Health and Human Services, which is home to over 4,100 students and 275 faculty and staff members.

Your career has taken you to Seattle; Muncie, Indiana; Pensacola, Florida; and now Fresno. What is one thing about Fresno that differs from these other places?
The aspects that stand out to me include the diverse community, the rich agriculture, the natural landscape — oh, and the temperature! I am loving all there is to learn and experience here in the Central Valley.

Fresno is in the heart of California and is centrally located from our great outdoors. Have you had a chance to explore some of those places this summer?
Oh, yes. My first weekend here, my husband, Matt and I met General Sherman, which I hear is the largest living tree on earth! We had a wonderful day hiking among the giant sequoias, enjoying the cool air and truly breathing in the peacefulness of the mountains.

Tell us a bit about your family.
My husband, Matt, stayed home with our three boys for nine years and then got involved in community engagement and was an avid volunteer with our local soccer club. Our oldest son, Clark (20) is studying mechanical engineering and math and serves as the lead academic coach in the University of West Florida’s tutoring center. Our middle son, Nathan (17) will be a high school senior and will play his final year of travel soccer. Elias (15) is our video game playing master and will be starting 10th grade. I can’t wait for them to join me here in Fresno at the end of this academic year.

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