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GGU Leadership
Leading the Future of Education at GGU
Golden Gate University empowers working adults to achieve their professional goals with nationally renowned degree and certificate programs. Founded in 1901, GGU has been a leader in online education for nearly three decades, offering maximum flexibility for modern students. Our university leaders are committed to expanding GGU’s mission and reach in order to provide affordable and accessible education to learners around the world. Together, we’re focused on creating a brighter future for our GGU community and beyond.
Executive Team
Brent White
President
Brent White began his tenure as the 8th President of Golden Gate University on November 1, 2025, bringing a distinguished record of higher education leadership, global academic innovation, and legal scholarship.
Nicholas Bradley
General Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Nick brings 15 years of experience in higher education law, strategy, and operations to GGU. Previously, he served as in-house counsel and chief of staff to the president at Northeastern University and as director of student and academic strategy at Huron Consulting Group. He specializes in designing and executing growth, innovation, and transformation initiatives within higher education’s complex legal, regulatory, and accreditation landscape. Nick holds a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and a J.D. from Northeastern University.
Dr. Bruce Magid
Acting Provost
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Magid brings a strong blend of business and academic experience to GGU. Along with over 20 years of experience leading international economic and policy research, business development, and corporate finance at Bank of America based in Venezuela, Brazil and San Francisco, he has held numerous leadership positions in the higher education sector.
Dr. Edward Roekaert
Incoming Provost
Executive Vice President
Dr. Roekaert brings over a decade of transformative leadership in higher education. He most recently served as Rector and Chief Executive Officer of Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), one of Peru’s leading private universities, from 2014 to 2026. Under his leadership, UPC achieved sustained growth in enrollment and research output and ranked among the top universities in Peru for scientific productivity. He previously served as Rector of Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola and is widely recognized for strengthening academic quality and accreditation standards across Latin America.
Elaine Clark
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President for Finance & Business Administration
Elaine Clark is Golden Gate University’s Chief Financial Officer, bringing more than two decades of financial and operational leadership across Fortune 200 companies, nonprofits, and higher education. She oversees the university’s finance, technology, HR, and key administrative functions.
Dr. Joaquin “Jay” Gonzalez
Department Chair & Professor of Public Administration
Founding Dean of GGU Worldwide
Vice Provost for Global Affairs
Mayor George Christopher Professor of Public Administration
A GGU faculty member since 2000, Jay Gonzalez is Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Dean of GGU Worldwide. Prof Jay, as he is fondly referred to by students globally, is also Mayor George Christopher Professor of Public Administration and Chair of GGU’s Department of Public Administration—the oldest Public Administration program in Northern California.
Dr. Rocco Lamanna
Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and University Admissions
Rocco Lamanna is Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and Executive Director for the Braden School of Taxation and School of Accounting.
Robert Shoffner
Executive Director, Ageno School of Business and School of Accounting
Professor of Practice
Robert Shoffner is the Executive Director, Ageno School of Business, Director of MBA Programs, and Professor of Practice at Golden Gate University. He is responsible for the management of all degree and certificate programs in the school. He is responsible for the design, delivery and staffing of all MBA programs on both a domestic and international basis. Robert also oversees management of the Chevron Small Business and Entrepreneurship program at Golden Gate University.
Mark Yates, Esq.
Dean, School of Law and Braden School of Taxation
Professor of Law
Mark Yates is Professor of Law and Dean of the Law School. During his 20 years at the GGU School of Law, he has served as Director of Academic Support, Director of Bar Services, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Previously, he worked as a civil litigator and as a public defender.
