The California Water Institute at Fresno State announced Laura Ramos has been appointed director, after serving in an interim role since January 2023. Since that time, Ramos guided the institute through significant advancements in research, educational partnerships and community outreach.
“Laura Ramos brings a wealth of leadership experience in water resource management,” said Fresno State Provost Dr. Xuanning Fu. “She is a recognized leader through her active membership in various statewide advisory boards such as the Drought Resilience Interagency and Partners and the Collaborative and Updating Water Rights Data for California Advisory Group.”
Fu said Ramos has been instrumental in raising the profile of the institute through numerous events, the creation of a newsletter, a weekly radio water segment and the blog California Water Collaborations.
Ramos played a key role in launching several educational initiatives including the option for Fresno State students to minor in water education, the Water Book Club, the Water Bootcamp in both English and Spanish and the Legislative Water Bootcamp in partnership with the Maddy Institute. She has also co-authored several reports and publications and secured nearly $1 million in grants during her tenure as interim director.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of director at the California Water Institute,” Ramos said. “My vision for [the institute] is to expand both the quality and quantity of research conducted by our faculty, staff and students, ensuring that our efforts are solution-driven and directly address California’s water challenges.”
A water professional with over 20 years of experience, Ramos has cultivated knowledge in groundwater management, water conveyance, stakeholder engagement and community education. She began her career in Fresno State’s water initiatives in 2001 at the Center for Irrigation Technology, transitioning to the California Water Institute in 2018, where she worked as a program manager and the associate director before becoming interim director.
“I am thrilled that Laura Ramos has been appointed to lead the California Water Institute,” said Dr. Thomas Holyoke, assistant director at the institute and a political science professor at Fresno State. “At this time, with so many challenges in the world of water here in the Valley and in all of California, we really need somebody with enthusiasm and experience to lead the way in providing solutions. Laura brings all of that to [California Water Institute] and so much more.”
Ramos holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fresno State and is currently completing her executive MBA at the university’s Craig School of Business. Ramos said, moving forward, she will prioritize collaboration by bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives to drive meaningful change.
(Story by Soreath Hok)
