Current Location | Stockton, CA
Current Industry | Information Systems Manager
Motivation | I want to make the community better for my children
Recommended Reading | It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell

Not much can stop Waqar Rizvi ’02 when he wants to get something done. In the last five years he has served as President of the Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors, coordinated polio immunizations in Pakistan, served as chair of the Stockton Planning Commission, advisor for Sigma Chi, Chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Vice President of the American Pakistani Association of San Joaquin, and received his doctorate in Organizational Innovation. All this on top of his full-time job, being a husband and a father of two. On July 1 he added a new title: Rotary District Governor of District 5220.

“My understanding of giving and community service came through my time at Pacific and involvement in Sigma Chi. We used to do outreach and community service projects. That is the thing that instilled in me that I need to be part of a service organization,” said Rizvi. “If one has been blessed with things, one has an obligation to give and infect others with the germ of giving, and also make yourself available to make improvements for the next generation.”

Rizvi’s energy and leadership abilities have served him well in his professional life as Department Information Systems Manager for San Joaquin County over the last 16 years. He has been a Rotarian since 2008 at the Stockton Rotary Club and has held multiple leadership positions within the club, including President and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair. “Pacific did a great job in helping me think outside the box and get out of my comfort zone,” Rizvi said. “Pacific helped me ask questions and give presentations, to deliver ideas and solutions, and to collaborate and lead a team.” As Rotary District Governor, Rizvi manages the entire district of more than 50 clubs, representing 1,800 members, as well as coordinating international projects. He has selected orange as the District 5220 color this year, in homage to former Rotary International Presidents and Pacificans Stanley McCaffrey and Cliff Dochterman.

Rizvi is leading the reunion committee for Sigma Chi fraternity, who will be celebrating the 20-year anniversary of their founding during Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 13-15, 2023. “There is an excitement among the brothers to come back to campus and see their peers as well as the changes on campus,” Rizvi said. “Whenever you go back to Pacific, it feels that you are home. It puts a smile on your face because you rewind and replay all the things that happened during your time on campus. You just feel good about it.”

Born in Pakistan, Waqar migrated with his family to Stockton in 1995. He studied under Dr. Will Price at the Eberhardt School of Business, and graduated with a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration in 2002. He went on to receive his Master’s of Business Administration and Doctorate from National University. His wife, Maria, is also a Pacific alumna from Benerd’s class of 2000.