Following a national search, Dr. Matthew Ari Jendian has been appointed to serve as the next director of the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

Dr. Jendian is a renowned teacher-scholar with a long history of service to, and leadership in, our community. He is a Fresno State alumnus and earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of Southern California. He is a distinguished member of the sociology faculty at Fresno State, including service as department chair for 10 years and as coordinator of Interdisciplinary Studies for the past two years. He is currently a full professor who is recognized as an expert in service-learning and community organizing, and he has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and books.

Dr. Jendian is the founding director of the Humanics Program in philanthropic and community-based leadership. Since 1998, Humanics has developed lasting relationships with numerous organizations addressing social problems throughout Central California and has graduated over 300 students who are thriving at community benefit organizations throughout the Central Valley.

His honors include the Fresno State President’s Award of Excellence, presented by our University Advisory Board, the Richard Hovannisian Higher Education Award, and the Provost’s Award for Faculty Service.

He is one of the founding members of Faith in the Valley and an active member of Central Valley IAF, and he has served as a board member for several national and local CBOs, including Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, Fresno Nonprofit Advancement Council, Fresno Housing Alliance, Fresno Metro Ministry, Better Blackstone CDC, and Regenerate California Innovation.

Congratulations to Dr. Matthew Jendian on his new role, which will begin in June 2026.