Dr. Vida Samiian is Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and Professor of Linguistics at California State University, Fresno. She joined Fresno State in 1984 after receiving her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles. As Dean of the largest college, she has been an avid supporter of the arts and was instrumental in the design and opening of the nationally ranked University High School. She wrote the grant that allowed for the initial University High School Charter and later served as the Chair of its Board while it achieved national recognition. Through her efforts, the world-renowned architect Arthur Dyson was engaged to design the current University High School building. As the Dean, Dr. Samiian is credited with strengthening the Arts and Humanities at the university and bringing together Dr. Vida Samiian the cultural elite to enhance and promote the arts in Fresno.