University names Inés C. Barbosa assistant vice president for workforce partnerships

The newly created position will help SFSU build new partnerships with Bay Area employers and expand career pathways for students and alumni

SAN FRANCISCO — Aug. 27, 2026 — SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco State University (SFSU) has appointed Inés C. Barbosa as assistant vice president for workforce partnerships, a new leadership role focused on expanding career pathways and strengthening connections between SFSU and employers across the Bay Area. 

Barbosa brings more than 20 years of experience building employer partnerships and career development programs that support first-generation and underrepresented students. She most recently served as assistant vice president of experiential learning and career design at Northeastern University’s Oakland campus, where she led efforts to connect students with internships, mentorship and career opportunities across the region. 

In her new role, Barbosa will lead a University-wide initiative to establish more applied learning and career opportunities for students and alumni, creating structured pipelines between SFSU and employers in corporate, nonprofit and civic sectors. She will work closely with campus partners and industry leaders to expand access to internships, professional experiences and post-graduation employment opportunities for SFSU students and graduates.  

“SFSU plays a vital role in preparing students for meaningful careers while supporting the economic vitality of the Bay Area,” said SFSU President Lynn Mahoney. “As San Francisco continues its financial resurgence, strengthening our partnerships with employers is essential. Inés brings deep regional knowledge and a strong track record of connecting diverse talent with opportunity, and she will help ensure our students and graduates are well positioned to thrive in today’s job market.” 

Barbosa has built partnerships with organizations including Google, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, the City of Oakland and Oakland Unified School District. Her work has focused on creating paid internships, recruitment pipelines and equitable access to career opportunities. 

Barbosa has also represented institutions in regional workforce and economic development forums and has extensive experience aligning academic programs with employer needs. She holds a master’s degree in sociology from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford. 

San Francisco’s economic resurgence — fueled in part by its central role in the AI boom and its proximity to Silicon Valley — is creating new opportunities for graduates who come to the city for their education. Through this role, SFSU is expanding its efforts to connect students with those opportunities and position the University as a leading engine of upward mobility.