Back in 2018, we profiled the Harper family, two years into their move from Pennsylvania to Bakersfield. Since that time, Dr. Vernon Harper has taken on the role of president of California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). Dr. Erika Harper (who goes by “Rikki”) is the director of the CSUB Counseling Psychology MS Program and teaches in both the master’s program and the undergraduate psychology program. We’re reconnecting with them to see what life is like now that their family has experienced nearly a decade of living in Bakersfield and our Seven Oaks community…  
 
 
It's great to meet you both! For those of us that don’t know you, let’s start from the beginning; where were you born and raised?  
“I was born in Philadelphia, and when I was 12, we moved to Plymouth Meeting,” shared Vernon. “My parents still live there. Rikki grew up in Philadelphia as well. Her parents owned a bakery in Center City.” 

 

“I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Penn State, my master’s in rhetoric and communication from West Chester University, and a doctorate in human communication from Howard University,” shared Vernon. “I also spent eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve.” 

“I earned my master’s degree in psychology and counseling from California State University, San Bernardino and my Ph.D. at Regent University in Virginia,” added Rikki.  
 
When did you relocate to Bakersfield, and where were you living prior to this?

“We moved to Bakersfield in 2016 from Glenmore, Pennsylvania,” said Rikki. “It was a big move, because it meant not only leaving our home state, but also our families. He came to me and said he’d been asked to take this opportunity in California. He likes to tell people that ‘He talked me into it.’ Actually, as we learned more about CSUB and Bakersfield, we realized we had a unique opportunity to be more socially connected to this community, a role we’ve really embraced since we arrived.”  

 

“Before arriving at CSUB, I was the associate vice president for Academic Administration at West Chester University in Pennsylvania,” Vernon shared. “Prior to that, I was an associate provost at Wilkes University of Pennsylvania. When we came here in 2016, I had accepted the role of CSUB provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, associate vice president of this same division, and dean of Academic Programs. I later became the interim president when our past president, Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, retired. I accepted the role of CSUB president in September 2024.” 

 

“My background is in counseling and psychology,” Rikki told me. “Teaching is truly my niche. I love what we’re doing here at CSUB and I’m so excited about the progress of our program. Our department has really grown and we’re thriving. Our master’s program is currently ranked 8th in the top 200 programs in the country, and we have an amazing faculty, many of whom also work in counseling within our community.”  

 

“I have a strong desire to serve the community. Kern County deserves an institution that's the best in the state. We are Kern County’s University, and as president and first lady of this institution, our goal is to bring our students and our community even closer.”   

 

“We’ve made Bakersfield our permanent home and have put down our roots here,” said Rikki, “and that’s due to the wonderful sense of community we feel here. Also, our values align to the values that are important to this community, a strong focus on family and personal authenticity. The longer we've been here, the more we confirm this is our ‘forever home.’ People here are warm and welcoming. We’ve made more friends since we arrived here in 2016 than anywhere else we’ve lived. That says a lot about the openness of this community.” 

 

“Vernon and I are often stopped around town and people like to talk to us about the university, their children who’ve attended, and what’s happening on campus. It’s evident that CSUB is a pillar of this community.”  

 

“We truly thought we'd only be here for a few years,” Vernon shared. “Nine years later, we can’t imagine leaving. We appreciate Bakersfield and are proud to say it’s our home.” 

 

“Many times, when people stop and talk with us, they want to share their own experience on campus,” said Vernon. “They want to tell us how CSUB changed their lives, and how their personal and professional lives have benefited from their college experience. It's a wonderful thing to hear about the impact CSUB has made on people's lives. 

 

“Rikki and I both really enjoy our ‘on campus’ experiences, too-- especially our occasional walks to the campus Starbucks. On one occasion, one of Rikki’s students saw her from behind the counter and said, ‘Hi, Dr. Harper!’ then looked at me and said, ‘And you are…?’ We both laughed!”   
 
Vernon, in your role as president, how do you hope to impact CSUB and the community?
“My vision is that we become Kern County's University. We’re built to educate every student and to support everyone in this area. Each year in Kern County, we have about 14,000 high school graduates; we want CSUB to be their number one choice in colleges.   

“I also want CSUB to further embrace our business community - for example, more partnerships with the agricultural, energy and innovation sectors. I think we’re doing that now more than ever before, yet I know there’s even more we can do in this area. Additionally, I want us to build an exceptional Performing Arts Center. And I also want CSUB to offer one of the best athletic programs in the state. 

 

“There is an exciting statistic that brings us tremendous pride at CSUB. Approximately 60% of our graduates remain here in Kern County. That's a testament to the close connection they feel to our community and to the university. It’s great to know we’ve made a positive impact in Kern County in so many ways.” 

Let’s get personal! How did you two meet?
“At a nightclub in Washington, D.C.,” Vernon shared. “We were both in the line outside, waiting to get in. Rikki was in the city visiting a friend for the weekend. The two of them decided to go out that evening. I was living in D.C. finishing my doctorate degree. That’s how it all began. This September we’ll have been married 25 years.” 

 

“We have three children,” Rikki said. “Justice is 19 and is finishing his freshman year as an economics major. Alexandra is 17; she graduated in June from Stockdale High School, and our youngest, Gabriel, is 13 and attends Warren Junior High. He plays the piano and loves playing in his basketball league.”   

 

What do you like most about living in Seven Oaks?
“It's very friendly and welcoming,” Vernon shared. “And it’s easy to navigate; our lives are all within a five-mile radius … CSUB and our kids’ schools, retail, medical care, restaurants, practically everything our family needs to live enjoyable, productive lives.”  

 

When you two aren’t working, how do you like to spend your time?  
“We love being outdoors and traveling to both Paso Robles and Avila Beach,” shared Rikki. “We also like to snow ski at Alta Sierra, and Vernon enjoys playing lots of golf! For dining, we really like Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar. The two of us are also renowned for spending many nights on the dance floor at the former Wiki’s - we really miss that place! But we’re excited to try Chef Lino’s PRIME, which has just moved into Wiki’s former space.” 

 

“We are most proud of our 25-year marriage,” shared Vernon. “It’s been a great foundation for raising our family. I could not be successful without Rikki and all her support.”  
 
“We both feel blessed that we have such a good partnership,” Rikki added. “At the end of the day, we can come together, kick our feet up, have a glass of wine, and relax together. We have so much to be thankful for - our marriage, the warmth of our community, schools, and our university. Bakersfield is truly our ‘forever home’.”  

 

“I love to participate in fundraising 5K events,” Rikki shared. “My favorites are the Bakersfield Hot Fudge Sundae Run, Kern Cancer Run, Links for Life, and Autism on the Run, to name a few!”  
 
“I have a tattoo!” Vernon revealed. “But you’ll only see it if we’re at the pool or the beach.”