Dr. Heather Herrera

Dr. Heather Herrera is a seasoned higher education leader with a strong background in academic affairs, accreditation, curriculum design, and student outcomes assessment. With expertise across diverse fields—ranging from teacher education to allied health and the arts—she has a proven track record in strategic planning and driving initiatives that enhance higher education access, diversity, and affordability. Before joining SFBU, Dr. Herrera held key roles at the University of San Diego as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer and Assistant Dean of Assessment and Accreditation. She also served as Executive Director of Academic Affairs at NYU's Steinhardt School for nearly a decade. Starting her career as an educator with over 20 years of experience teaching English composition, Dr. Herrera is deeply committed to supporting under-served students. A proud first-generation college graduate and San Francisco native, she earned her PhD in English Education from New York University.