Robert Bishop Named New Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics at Butte College

Bishop Brings More Than Two Decades of Leadership and a Personal Connection to Butte County

Butte College is proud to announce the hiring of Robert Bishop as the new dean of kinesiology and athletics, effective July 21, 2025. Bishop brings an accomplished background in athletic leadership, coaching, and student development, with more than 25 years of experience at the high school and collegiate levels.

"I'm incredibly excited to step into this new role," said Bishop. "I'm grateful to Vice President Shearer, President Guleff and the selection committee for entrusting me with this opportunity. Their confidence means a great deal."

A Chico State graduate, Bishop said this new role feels like a homecoming. "I met my wife in Chico, we were married in Butte County, and our first daughter was born at Enloe Hospital. This is where my family and career began, so the opportunity to return to this region and a college with such a strong tradition in academics and athletics is very meaningful."

Bishop comes to Butte College after serving as athletic director at Palma School, a private, college-preparatory school for grades six through 12, in Salinas, California. There, he led the school's transition to co-education and launched 12 new girls' sports programs. Under his leadership, Palma made history by winning the school's first-ever CIF State Football Championship in 2023. That same year, Palma's inaugural girls' teams quickly made their mark, with the tennis team claiming a league title and basketball, volleyball, and softball teams advancing deep into postseason play.

Before his time at Palma, Bishop served as head men's basketball coach at California State University, Monterey Bay from 2008 to 2017, where he set the program record for most wins in a season and graduated all but one of the 75 student-athletes who went through his program. He also held assistant coaching roles at Northern Arizona University and Chico State.

Bishop holds a master's degree in physical education with an emphasis in coaching and a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology, both from Chico State. He is also a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and has served on multiple athletic and advisory committees throughout his career.

At Butte, Bishop's first-year priorities will focus on deepening relationships and enhancing the student-athlete experience. "My immediate focus will be on supporting our coaches and staff, strengthening our culture of success, and building on the student-centered experience that reflects Butte's mission," he said. "I want to establish relationships with everyone who works with athletics across campus as well as strengthen relationships with community members and alumni."

Bishop emphasized his holistic approach to student-athlete support. "My philosophy is rooted in the belief that we coach people, not just players. Supporting student-athletes means helping them grow academically, personally, and athletically."

Butte College Vice President for Instruction Erik Shearer shared his support for Bishop's leadership philosophy. "Rob brings decades of experience and a solid vision for how athletics can support student achievement," he said. "I'm excited to see how his leadership will help Butte College athletics thrive on and off the field."

Bishop succeeds Randy Maday, who served as interim director of kinesiology and athletics during the 2024-25 academic year. Maday praised the transition and expressed his gratitude for the past year. "I appreciate and would like to thank Vice President Shearer and President Guleff for the confidence they had in me to appoint this position on an interim basis," said Maday. "Moving forward, I think the department will be in great hands with the addition of Rob Bishop."

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