History

Jessica Lavariega Monforti

Interim Provost (Aug. 2024 to Present)

Jessica Lavariega Monforti is the Interim Provost at California State University, Channel Islands who supports the academic endeavors and development of faculty, students, and staff, and our institution. Dr. Lavariega Monforti believes that education can empower students and help them, and others acknowledge their potential. Dr. Lavariega Monforti has landed nearly $10M in major grant funding, published 3 books and over 50 articles and book chapters, and contributed to several news articles and broadcasts including the New York Times, La Opinión, NPR’s All Things Considered, and Latino USA. Dr. Lavariega Monforti is an award-winning teacher, leader, and scholar, having received the MPSA Latino Caucus Distinguished Career Award, UT Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Award for Exemplary Mentoring of Latino/a Undergraduate Students in Political Science, various best research paper awards from major political science associations, as well as institutional leadership awards. She is a Ford Fellow, the founder and co-organizer of the biennial, national Women of Color in Political Science Workshop, and past president of the Western Political Science Association. Dr. Lavariega Monforti holds a PhD in Political Science from The Ohio State University, and is an alumna of WSCUC's Accreditation Leadership Academy, ACAD Fellow Program, the HERS Institute and Berkeley's Executive Leadership Academy.

Mitch Avila

Provost (Jan. 2021 to Aug. 2024)

Dr. Mitch Avila joined CSUCI in January 2021 as Provost with over twenty-five years’ experience in the CSU system at four separate campuses. In prior roles he has served as Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at California State University Dominguez Hills, one of the most ethnically diverse universities on the West Coast. Avila oversaw 18 academic programs and has implemented budget models to increase support for faculty research and grow smaller programs, notably ethnic studies and Women’s Studies. As Dean, he established the Center for Sacred Music of the African Diaspora with $1.6M endowment, facilitated creation of College bylaws, developed College-level policy promoting diversity and inclusive hiring practices, advanced accreditation and reaccreditation in Music, Theatre, and Journalism, and built external partnerships with music organizations and city governments. He served on the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences Board of Directors, where he promoted advocacy efforts for federal funding for the arts, humanities, and sciences. Previously as Associate Dean and Chair of the Philosophy Department at Cal State Fullerton, Avila directed professional development for adjuncts, expanded study abroad programs, and developed innovative new degrees, including Vietnamese Studies. He earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from UC Santa Barbara in 1993 and researches theories of human rights and global justice, along with the aesthetics of film and photography.

Elizabeth Say

Interim Provost (Jan 2019 – Jan. 2021)

Served as Interim Provost at California State University Channel Islands and spent most of her professional career in the California State University System. Prior to joining CSUCI, she was the Dean of the College of Humanities at Cal State Northridge. As Dean, she provided leadership to a faculty and staff of almost 400 persons in eight departments as well as six interdisciplinary programs. Previously, Say was the Associate Dean of Humanities (2001 – 2004), Professor and founding Chair of the Department of Women’s Studies (1998 – 2001), and a faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies (1989 – 1998). An alumna of CSUN, she received her B.A. in English and Religious Studies in 1981, and her Ph.D. in Religious Social Ethics at USC in 1988. Her research and publications are in the areas of women and religion, ethics, and academic administration. Her most recent publication is a co-edited collection titled The History and Future of Liberal Arts Education: From the Desk of the Dean. She has held leadership roles in the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Religion, the National Women’s Studies Association, and the Western Commission on the Study of Religion. Beth retired from CSUN at the end of her interim appointment at CSUCI.

Geoff Chase

Provost (July 2017 – Dec. 2018)

Dr. Geoffrey Chase joined CSU Channel Islands as Provost in March 2017. Previously, he was the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and the Director of the Center for Regional Sustainability at San Diego State University until 2016 and most recently was Vice President of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Dr. Chase received his BA in English from Ohio Wesleyan University and holds an MAT from Miami University (Ohio), and an AM in English from Boston College. He earned his Ph.D. in American Literature from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. At San Diego State University, Dr. Chase was integral in establishing the Weber University Honors College and the Center for Regional Sustainability. Dr. Chase lectures widely on sustainability in higher education and he offers workshops on institutional change, leadership and sustainability. Geoff retired from CSUCI in 2018.

Daniel Wakalee

Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

(June 2016 – June 2017)

In May 2016, Dr. Daniel Wakelee was named Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for AY 2016-17. Dr. Wakelee brings a wealth of leadership experience and institutional knowledge to the Provost's Office. He joined CI while it was a satellite campus of Northridge and was instrumental in aiding a smooth transition from CSUN at Channel Islands, to the new Channel Islands campus acting first as Administrator-in-Charge (1998), then as Associate Director (1999-2002), and finally serving as Associate Dean of the Faculty (2002-2011), Assistant Provost (2011-2013) and Associate Provost (2013-present).Dr. Wakelee has published scholarship on the National Park Service and in Higher Education; he taught several courses in the Political Science program and offered interdisciplinary courses with colleagues in Education and in Environmental Science and Resource Management. This he accomplished while maintaining his regular duties of space and curricular planning, planning for hiring and growth, oversight of the Instructionally Related Activities Fund and the Academic Appeals Committee, making sure classes had places to meet, working with academic planning on the course catalog. After retirement, Dan was instrumental in creating the Retired Faculty and Staff Association on campus. Dan holds Professor Emeritus status in Political Science.

Gayle Hutchinson

Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

(July 2013 – May 2016)

Dr. Gayle E. Hutchinson serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University (CSU), Channel Islands. CSU, Channel Islands founded in 2002, is the newest of 23 campuses in the CSU system. Currently, Channel Islands serves over 6,000 students with 50% of the student population from underrepresented groups. Channel Islands is touted as one of the fastest growing universities in the nation, and known as one of the most innovative in the CSU. Dr. Hutchinson joined CSU Channel Islands in July 2013. Prior to her appointment at CI, Dr. Hutchinson was the Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS) at California State University, Chico. Prior to her appointment as Dean in 2007, Dr. Hutchinson served as Chair of the CSU, Chico Department of Kinesiology (2002 – 2007) her professorial home of seventeen years. Dr. Hutchinson’s scholarship and grant writing examined topics such as teacher socialization, comprehensive school-based wellness programs, and equity in sport and physical education. The scaffold that supports her leadership style is diversity, collaboration, innovation, accountability, transparency, trust, and respect. Gayle went on to serve as President of CSU Chico until her retirement in 2023.

Dawn Neuman

Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

(Aug. 2008 – May 2013)

Neuman has served as Vice Provost for Academic Resources at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for the past four years. In addition, Neuman has served UNLV for more than 15 years in various roles including Co-Officer in Charge for the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost; Vice Provost for Educational Outreach; as well as Chair and Professor of Biological Sciences. Neuman holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Washington, Seattle; and earned bachelor and master of science degrees in Biology/Botany from California State University, Long Beach. Dawn holds Professor Emerita status in Biology at CI.

Theodore Lucas

Theodore D. Lucas served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2004-2008. In addition to his role as Provost, he also served as the Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs at CSUCI from 2003-2004, Chief of Staff, 1999-2003. Prior to coming to CSUCI, he was the Director and Chair of the School of Music and Dance, San José State University from 1989-1999. Ted is the author of the CI Alma Mater and holds Professor Emeritus status in Performing Arts and CI.

Alexander McNeill

As one of the founders of CSU Channel Islands, McNeill served as the first Vice President of Academic Affairs, where he oversaw academic programs and planning. He retired in 2011. He earned teaching credentials in math and physical education from St. Luke's College, Exeter, England. He received the first Fulbright scholarship in physical education for his study in exercise physiology and biomechanics, earning a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1965, a Master of Science in exercise science in 1967, and a Doctorate in exercise physiology and biomechanics in 1973 from the University of Oregon. Subsequently, he held positions at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of Idaho and Montana State University. McNeill joined the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 1994, serving as the dean of the School of Education, and became dean of the College of Health, Education and Social Welfare in 1996. In 2001, he moved to Camarillo, California. One of Alex's enduring contributions to the people of Ventura County was through his vision for Project Vista, a multi-million dollar federal competitive grant-writing effort that he spearheaded in 2010. In his final year of service at CSUCI, he led a grant-writing team that secured nearly $3 million to improve diversity in the university's credential and graduate programs.