Edith Winterhalter
Dr. Winterhalter joined CSUCI as the Interim Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs in July 2026 from her 20+ year career at CSU Northridge, most recently in the role of Associate Vice President for Budget and Strategic Business Operations. She has been honored as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women's Network and served as the chair of the volunteer organization International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA). She earned all of her degrees from CSUN including a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, a Master's degree in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
James August
James August joined CSUCI in 2019 as the Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President for Information Technology. He has over 20 years of experience in information technology and previously served as the Chief Information Security Officer at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and as the Director of Information Security at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. Jim holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
Stephanie Bracamontes
Stephanie Bracamontes is the Assistant Vice President for Financial Services/Controller in the Division of Business and Financial Affairs. She joined CSUCI in 2006, has over 18 years of management experience and previously worked in local government, corporate retail. and the gasoline and petroleum wholesale industry. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accountancy from California State University, Northridge.
Britta Steinbrenner
Britta Steinbrenner joined California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) in December 2025 as a Captain and currently serves as the University's Interim Chief of Police. She brings more than 35 years of law enforcement and public safety experience, with a career distinguished by leadership, service, and a commitment to community engagement. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration, Management, and Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. She also graduated from the POST Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Cornell University leadership program.
Prior to joining CSUCI, Chief Steinbrenner served as Chief of the Pepperdine University Department of Public Safety. Before transitioning to university policing, she dedicated 35 years of distinguished service to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, retiring as a Captain. Throughout her career, she held leadership assignments in Patrol, Custody, Court Services, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Media and Community Relations, and security services for county libraries, hospitals, and government facilities. As a proud member of the Dolphin family, she is grateful for the dedicated members of the University Police Department whose professionalism, compassion, and service help create an enfironment where students can learn, grow, and thrive.
MariaElena Urbina-Lara
In July 2024, Dr. MariaElena Urbina-Lara began her role as Associate Vice President for Human Resources and HRO at CSUCI. With 24 years of experience in administrative management, she is an expert in Human Resources. Dr. Urbina-Lara earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California Lutheran University, focusing on advancing Latina leaders in education. Her leadership in the P-12 sector, particularly in human resources, risk management, and compliance, supports essential staff development and diversity initiatives. As a lifetime resident of Ventura County, fluent in English and Spanish, her bicultural skills enhance engagement with diverse stakeholders. Her expertise in complex matters and dedication to equitable leadership advance both scholarly success and organizational excellence at CSUCI.
John Ramirez
John Ramirez joined our campus in August 2025 and came to us from Cal State, Fullerton, where he held various leadership roles since 2013. Most recently he served as Senior Director of Facilities Management. In this role, John provided strategic and operational leadership for more than 5.7 million square feet of facilities and 236 acres of campus grounds. His portfolio at Fullerton included facilities operations, capital and deferred maintenance, custodial and grounds services, facilities housing and residential engagement, business and administrative functions, and emergency preparedness. He led the successful management of over $125 million in concurrent projects and $210 million in annual contracts, consistently upholding high standards in safety, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. John holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He is a Certified Educational Facilities Professional, a safety inspector, and a FEMA Evaluator. He is an active member of professional organizations such as the Leadership in Educational Facilities (APPA), the Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO-I), the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS), and Disaster Resistant California.