May 13, 2008

California State University, Fresno President John D. Welty praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appointment today of Dr. Peter Mehas of Fresno to the California State University Board of Trustees.

Mehas, 67, a Fresno State alumnus, most recently served as the superintendent of schools for Fresno County from 1990 to 2006.

“I am delighted to learn of Dr. Mehas’ appointment to the CSU Board of Trustees,” said Welty. “His lifetime of work in education policy will be a valuable addition as the CSU seeks to partner more closely with the K-12 education system in our state.”

Mehas previously was chief adviser on all public education in the state, K-12, community colleges, the California State University and University of California systems, and private and independent schools and universities. He also was named director of the Governor’s Office of Education Planning and Policy Committee.

He established and served as the legislative advocate in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., for the State Center Community College District, Fresno County, and Modoc County Offices of Education and a consortium of 36 school districts throughout Central California.
Mehas earned his bachelor’s degree from then-Fresno State College in 1962, his master’s degree from UCLA in 1967 and his doctorate in education from the University of Southern California in 1979.

He began his professional career as an instructor at Roosevelt High School in 1963. He has extensive public education experience, including serving as deputy superintendent of Clovis Unified School District, principal of Clovis High School and teacher at Edison High, as well as Roosevelt High. From 1992 to 1993, Mehas served on the State Board of Education.

In 1991, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to the Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

Related link: Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments