Pros
Working at Stanislaus State can be a very different experience depending on which division you work under and who your manager is. There is a noticeable lack of consistency in management styles, expectations, and workplace culture across departments.
In some areas, particularly within the Student Affairs division, I experienced a positive and inclusive environment. Managers were caring, supportive, invested in their team's professional growth, and actively promoted equity and diversity. They held regular team meetings, encouraged collaboration, hosted professional development opportunities, and created a sense of community and belonging. The VP of Student Affairs stands out as a strong leader who genuinely cares about staff and fosters a culture of openness and support. This division focuses on a student-centered approach and compassionate customer service, and I believe the positive employee experience is largely due to the expectations set by the VP for the managers leading their teams.
Cons
On the other hand, there are divisions—such as Business and Finance or the Provost’s Office—where leadership seemed disengaged and uninterested in employee well-being or growth. In these areas, some managers never held one-on-ones outside of annual reviews, didn’t greet staff, showed no interest in team building, and created toxic dynamics by playing favorites, gossiping, and showing a lack of professionalism. There have been deeply concerning situations where employees were taken by ambulance following confrontations with managers, others went on stress leave, some resigned entirely, and there are even instances where legal action was reportedly taken against the university. The most heartbreaking aspect is the bullying—persistent, unaddressed, and often tolerated. In these divisions, the VPs have expressed that managers are free to lead as they see fit, with little oversight or accountability. As a result, toxic leadership thrives: some managers act like dictators, displaying rudeness, favoritism, and a total lack of professionalism, which creates a damaging and unhealthy work environment. Unfortunately, many managers seem to be promoted without any formal training in leadership or team dynamics, which leads to inconsistent and, at times, harmful management practices.
There is clearly no standardized training or expectations for leadership across the university, which results in a very uneven employee experience. You could thrive in one department and struggle in another simply due to management differences.