Leticia Robles ’89 Named Board of Regents Chair at University of the Pacific: A Milestone for Stockton Leadership

The University of the Pacific has announced a significant change in its governance structure with the appointment of Leticia Robles ’89 as the new Chair of the Board of Regents. Taking office on July 1, Robles steps into this critical leadership role during a transformative period for the institution, bringing with her decades of business experience, deep community roots in Stockton, and a personal understanding of the power of educational access. Her appointment marks a historic moment for the university, as she becomes the first Hispanic person and the first graduate of the Community Involvement Program to hold this position in Pacific’s 175-year history.

Understanding the Role of the Board of Regents at University of the Pacific

Before examining Robles’ qualifications and vision, it is important to understand the significance of the Board of Regents within the university’s structure. The Board of Regents serves as the governing body responsible for overseeing the university’s financial health, ensuring alignment with its educational mission, and setting strategic priorities across all three campuses. Regents are tasked with making high-level decisions that affect everything from academic program development to capital investments and community partnerships.

The chair position carries particular weight, as this individual sets the agenda for board meetings, serves as the primary liaison between the board and the university president, and helps articulate the institution’s direction to external stakeholders. Robles succeeds Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt ’76, who concluded nearly a decade of distinguished service on June 30. The transition represents not just a change in personnel but a continuation of the university’s commitment to thoughtful, mission-driven leadership.

From First-Generation Student to University Leader

Robles’ journey to the board chair position began in Stockton as the youngest daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico. Her parents instilled in their nine children a deep appreciation for education, hard work, and service to others—values that would shape every aspect of Robles’ subsequent career and community involvement.

Like many first-generation college students, Robles faced significant financial barriers to higher education. Her path to Pacific opened through the Community Involvement Program (CIP), an educational equity initiative designed to support first-generation college students from Stockton. For Robles, CIP represented far more than financial assistance.

“When I applied to CIP, I knew it was my only chance to afford college,” Robles has explained. “CIP gave me more than financial support—it gave me a second family, and in them, I found strength and belonging. Coming from a different background, I often felt like I had to work twice as hard just to keep up, but through CIP I found validation and confidence.”

She graduated in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in international business, laying the groundwork for what would become a remarkable entrepreneurial career. Her connection to Pacific deepened through her marriage to Jorge Robles ’90, another university alumnus, and continues today as their youngest daughter prepares to enroll at McGeorge School of Law.

Building Pacific Homecare Services: Entrepreneurship with Purpose

After graduation, Robles spent 12 years with Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization focused on teaching young people about career readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. This experience reinforced her commitment to education and community development, though her most significant entrepreneurial venture would emerge from an unexpected source.

While working as a stay-at-home mother and occasionally serving as a Spanish-language interpreter for Stockton’s Valley Mountain Regional Center, Robles witnessed the challenges families faced in securing quality respite care for loved ones with developmental disabilities. She observed that few regional agencies provided these essential services, and even fewer consistently treated clients with the dignity and respect they deserved.

In 2005, Robles transformed her observations and compassion into action by founding Pacific Homecare Services. What began as a home-based operation with a single employee has grown into one of Northern California’s leading home care providers. Today, the company operates eight locations and employs thousands of caregivers serving families throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area.

The company’s growth reflects Robles’ core operating principles: honesty, kindness, and respect. She has structured Pacific Homecare Services around the idea that every client deserves to be treated like family—a philosophy that has earned the organization trust and recognition across the region.

“I feel like I was put on this earth to do this work,” Robles has said. “I’ve always had a need to help people, and now, I have the best job ever—if I can even call it a job. I get to help people every single day.”

Leadership Recognition and Community Impact in Stockton

Robles’ professional accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she received the ATHENA Leadership Award from the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, an honor that recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in their profession, contribute to their community, and actively assist women in achieving their leadership potential. She has also been recognized among Comstock’s Magazine’s 2026 Women in Leadership, placing her alongside other influential women shaping the region’s economic and social landscape.

Beyond her business, Robles maintains an active presence in Stockton’s civic and nonprofit sectors. She serves on the board of the Children’s Home of Stockton, participates in the management team at Mezzo Restaurant, and champions the work of United Way and other local organizations. Her commitment extends to faith-based and educational institutions as well, with significant support for her parish and St. Mary’s High School.

This multifaceted community engagement reflects a fundamental belief that successful leaders have an obligation to invest in the places that have supported them. For Robles, Stockton is not merely a location for business operations—it is home.

The Community Involvement Program: A Legacy of Access and Opportunity

Robles’ appointment brings renewed attention to the Community Involvement Program that made her Pacific education possible. For more than five decades, CIP has served as a pipeline for first-generation college students from the Stockton area, providing not just financial support but also mentoring, community, and academic resources designed to ensure student success.

The program’s impact is evident in outcomes: CIP scholars graduate at rates comparable to or exceeding the general university population, and many go on to significant careers in business, healthcare, education, and public service. Robles represents one of the program’s most visible success stories, though she is far from alone in using her Pacific education as a foundation for community impact.

“CIP serves students who couldn’t otherwise access a higher education,” noted Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. “Leticia was once in that position, but the support she received at Pacific has allowed her to build an incredible life of service. Her generosity is now expanding what others believe is possible for their lives, and we are deeply grateful.”

Robles and her husband have given back to CIP in tangible ways, endowing a scholarship in 2018 for CIP Scholars studying business or engineering. They also host Noche de Bienvenida, an annual welcome reception at their Stockton home for incoming Latinx students and their families. Additionally, they have provided scholarships enabling local students to attend the Pacific Summer High School Institute.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how the Community Involvement Program supports first-generation students in achieving their educational goals.

Breaking Barriers: Representation in Higher Education Governance

Robles’ appointment carries symbolic significance beyond her individual qualifications. As the first Hispanic person to chair the Board of Regents in the university’s 175-year history, she brings perspectives that have historically been underrepresented in institutional governance. This representation matters not only for current students who see leaders who reflect their own backgrounds but also for the institution’s ability to make informed decisions that serve its increasingly diverse student body.

Robles has spoken thoughtfully about the weight of this position. “I never pictured myself as a role model or set out to be one, but I’ve learned that young people can relate to me and possibly see a future for themselves,” she explained. “As a student, I looked for leaders who looked like me or had similar backgrounds, and there weren’t many. Now, I have a responsibility to show students that regardless of where you started, it is possible to have a seat at the table and make change.”

Allison Dumas ’95, Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Enrollment Strategy, who has overseen CIP for more than 40 years, emphasized the unique perspective Robles brings to the board. “As the first CIP Scholar to chair the board, she brings a unique perspective on the student experience and leads with a powerful combination of tenacity, courage and compassion.”

Strategic Priorities for Pacific’s Next Chapter

Robles assumes the chair position during what President Christopher Callahan has described as one of the most consequential periods in the university’s recent history. The most visible initiative is the planned launch of the region’s first school of medicine in Stockton, an undertaking designed to address persistent physician shortages in the Central Valley. This project represents a significant investment in community health and positions Pacific as a critical player in addressing regional healthcare disparities.

Beyond the medical school, the university continues to invest in student access initiatives, campus infrastructure, and programs designed to maximize community impact across its Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco campuses. Robles’ experience as both a business leader and a community advocate positions her well to guide the board through decisions about resource allocation, partnership development, and long-term strategic planning.

President Callahan expressed confidence in Robles’ ability to lead during this pivotal time. “Chair Robles is a visionary and humanistic leader. We are fortunate to have her in this role while Pacific is so heavily focused on its communities’ health and well-being. She is the quintessential Pacifican, and I can think of no one better to lead us forward in this moment.”

Explore our related articles for further reading about University of the Pacific’s strategic initiatives and community partnerships.

What This Appointment Means for the Stockton Community

For Stockton residents and business leaders, Robles’ appointment signals continued strong connections between the university and the surrounding community. Her deep local roots, combined with her understanding of the challenges facing Central Valley families, suggest that community impact will remain a priority under her leadership.

The university’s presence in Stockton extends far beyond its physical campus. Through programs like CIP, partnerships with local schools and nonprofits, and the economic activity generated by university operations and employment, Pacific serves as a significant community asset. Having a board chair who understands these dynamics from both institutional and community perspectives creates opportunities for more effective collaboration.

Robles’ own words capture her vision for this relationship: “This community has given my family and me so much. We believe it’s our responsibility to give back and help others. Pacific not only taught me how to lead and serve, it also helped me pass those values on to my daughters. Together, as a family, we take great pride in serving the Stockton community.”

Looking Ahead: Robles’ Vision as Board Chair

While specific strategic initiatives will emerge through the board’s collaborative process, Robles has articulated clear values that will guide her leadership. Her emphasis on inclusivity, service, and measurable community impact reflects both her personal journey and her professional experience building an organization around core principles.

The transition also represents an opportunity to examine how universities can more effectively leverage alumni leadership. Robles’ path from CIP scholar to business founder to board chair demonstrates the long-term returns on investment in student access programs. Her story suggests that supporting students from non-traditional backgrounds is not merely an equity initiative but a strategy for building a stronger, more connected institutional community.

As Robles begins her tenure, the University of the Pacific community—alumni, students, faculty, staff, and Stockton neighbors—will watch to see how her leadership shapes the institution’s next chapter. If her career to date is any indication, the focus will remain on practical impact, human connection, and the belief that educational opportunity can transform individual lives and entire communities.

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