Fram Virjee

Fram Virjee

President


California State University, Fullerton

Fullerton, CA USA


If you’re worried that the road isn’t paved in front of you, you don’t need a paved road. You’re going to make your own road. You’re going to find your own way, doing it the way that makes your heart sing.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Fram Virjee

Milestones

My road in life has taken me all over.
I’m a first-generation immigrant—I moved to the United States with my parents in 1966 after spending the first six years of my life traveling the world on my dad’s ship.
My parents worked hard so that I would be able to go to college—the first in my family to attend college, I was expected to either become a doctor or a lawyer.
My math grades weren’t promising for medical school, so I got my bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from University of California, Santa Barbara.
I went to law school after undergrad because I had a passion for communication and a drive to learn about how power can be used for good.
After graduating, I was drawn to a big law firm because of my interest in litigation—I worked for O’Melveny & Myers for 30 years and loved it, but it was very taxing on my time and work-life balance.
I made a switch into education and worked as the executive vice chancellor, general counsel, and secretary to the board for the CSU system, leading a staff responsible for all legal services.
Now, I work as the president of California State University, Fullerton, where I’ve made it a goal to positively impact the students and then, indirectly, the city, county, state, and nation.
In addition to my work with CSUF, my wife and I formed a nonprofit to assist victims of genocide in Rwanda.
Keep following my journey

Education

High School
Bachelor
Political Science and Sociology
University of California, Santa Barbara
Doctorate
Law
University of California, Hastings College of the Law

Career

President

I provide leadership for over 4,000 educators and oversee all aspects of CSUF's operations.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Law
Helping People

Day to Day

Serving as president of the university is an identity in addition to a job. My days are completely unpredictable, as I lead about 40,000 students and 5,000 employees. I'm essentially the "mayor" of CSUF. It's my job to create a sense of community on campus and to lead our educators in setting up the university's students to become great people as they graduate and go out into the world.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

When you get to college, don't waste any time. Just jump in. Join organizations and academic societies. Go to sporting events. The extracurricular activities are just as important in forming your education and experience as your classes. Don't be afraid to utilize support resources in school. Most people will love to give you guidance and support if you take the initiative to ask for help. Make connections with your school's faculty and ask questions of those whose stories you're interested in.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"I'm not as good or as smart as people think I am."

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation Immigrant
Work-Life Balance
First-Generation College Student

Interviewed By

CSUF Roadtrip

CSUF Roadtrip

California State University, Fullerton students and alumni