Joyce M. Gattas has served San Diego State University as Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts since July 1988. In her role as Dean of the College, she manages eleven diverse departments: Aerospace Studies; Art, Design and Art History; Child and Family Development; Communication; Drama; Military Science; Music and Dance; Naval Science; Exercise and Nutritional Sciences; Public Administration and Urban Studies; and Recreation, Parks and Tourism. The College has 4,700 majors and 400 faculty and staff. Three research centers housed in the College provide students with opportunities for firsthand research experience. They are: the International Center for Communications, the Institute of Public and Urban Affairs, and the Institute for Leisure Behavior.

Before assuming her current managerial position, Dr. Gattas taught at California State Universities, at Long Beach and at Hayward. Following her career as a college professor, Dr. Gattas was the Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs at San Diego State University. In that position, she handled all faculty personnel matters, negotiated contracts and agreements, and represented the University in grievances, collective bargaining, and other legal matters.

Dr. Gattas has been active in community and professional organizations, including President of the Board of Trustees for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, International Rotary, Secretary/Treasurer of the San Diego-Baja Communications Council Executive Committee, San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of the Future Committee, and numerous art boards.

She is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University, and holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.A. in guidance and counseling from the University of New Mexico, and a B.S. in recreation administration from the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Gattas is a resident of La Jolla, California.