The Presidential Medallion is the highest honor bestowed by the University President.
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Heather Castillo
Honored July 28, 2025
Faculty member and chair of Dance Studies, Dr. Castillo has expanded the arts at CSUCI through innovative, inclusive programming such as Arts Under the Stars and interdisciplinary projects that connect dance, scholarship, and community.
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Toni DeBoni
Honored July 28, 2025
With over 20 years of leadership in many roles across campus, Toni has built systems that support student success and collaboration, always centering access, equity, and service to students. Her foundational work in supporting Enrollment Management has strengthened operational processes, improving efficiency and collaboration.
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Kirsten Gabriel
Honored July 28, 2025
As Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Gabriel has championed student mental health through evidence-based, culturally informed services and advocacy for wellness across the campus.
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Nancy Gill
Honored July 28, 2025
As Associate Vice President for Communication & Public Relations, Nancy has strengthened CSUCI’s visibility and reputation through strategic communications that authentically tell the University’s story.
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Drake Massey
Honored July 28, 2025
Chief of Police, Drake has built a culture of safety, preparedness, and trust—ensuring CSUCI remains a secure and supportive environment for learning and growth.
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Pilar Pacheco
Honored July 28, 2025
Director of the Center for Community Engagement, Pilar has transformed CSUCI’s service-learning culture, expanding partnerships that generate over 40,000 student hours annually and building a legacy of civic engagement.
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Ekin Pehlivan
Honored July 28, 2025
Professor of Marketing, Ekin is recognized for innovative, student-centered teaching. She has earned the President’s Teaching & Innovation Award and has served two terms as the President’s Faculty Fellow, advancing CSUCI’s student promises through her enrollment marketing work.
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Kaia Tollefson
Honored July 28, 2025
As Chief of Staff, Kaia provides critical leadership in governance and institutional strategy, coordinating across divisions to bring the President’s vision to life. Through her pivotal role in shaping the Inclusive Excellence Action Plan, she has advanced CSU Channel Islands’ long-term commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
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Annie White
Honored July 28, 2025
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Studies, Annie is a champion for equity-minded early learning that connect children, families, and community. Through her innovative work with Learning Stories, she has brought educators, researchers, and storytellers from around the world to CSUCI to explore narrative inquiry and the power of assessment beyond traditional tools—helping bridge cultures, strengthen community, and expand the voice of learners.
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Melissa Soenke
Honored August 23, 2024
Dr. Melissa Soenke was honored for her research and work as the 2023-2024 President's Faculty Fellow.
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Cindy Derrico
Honored December 1, 2023
Dr. Cindy Derrico was honored for her 16 years of incomparable service to the success of thousands of CSUCI students and for modeling the highest ethics of leadership which others sought to emulate.
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Michelle Dean
Honored August 17, 2023
Dr. Michelle Dean was honored for her research and work as the 2022-2023 President's Faculty Fellow.
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LaSonya Davis
Honored August 20, 2021
Dr. LaSonya Davis was honored for her research and work as the Inaugural 2020-2021 President's Faculty Fellow.
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Virgil Adams
Honored December 7, 2020
Dr. Virgil Adams was honored for his resolute work in enacting racial justice for the students, faculty, and staff of CSUCI.
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José Alamillo
Honored December 7, 2020
Dr. José Alamillo was honored for his role in serving as the inaugural Chair of the President's Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence and for his exemplary leadership in building a culture of diversity and inclusion on the campus of CSUCI.
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Raudel Bañuelos
Honored December 7, 2020
Raudel Bañuelos was honored for his decades of exemplary leadership and service to the CSUCI campus community and for his trusted guidance and sage wisdom on matters related to the Chumash people.
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Amanda Quintero
Honored December 7, 2020
Dr. Amanda Quintero was honored for her role as Co-Chair of the President's Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence and for the exemplary leadership in helping CSUCI realize a more just, diverse and inclusive campus community.
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Maggie Tougas
Honored December 14, 2020
Maggie Tougas was honored for her exemplary work in emergency planning, training, and response and for creating a campus community where safety is foundational and education flourishes.
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Ray Porras
Honored May 29, 2019
Ray Porras, CSUCI's founding Director of Transportation & Parking Services (TPS), was recognized for his dedicated service to the University. Ray was instrumental in CSUCI's transition from a state hospital to the thriving University it is today. He helped build the TPS department and served as its director for 17 years. In addition, he created the foundation for the University's Conferences & Events office, which opened its doors in 2014.
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A. Michael Berman
Honored April 26, 2018
Since first coming to campus as a consultant in late 2008, Michael Berman served as the CIO and Vice President leading Information Technology Services. Dr. Berman's contributions to the campus include development of the myCI portal and goCI mobile app, a complete redesign of our online presence, and overseeing the creation and growth of Teaching and Learning Innovations, one of the most respected centers of its kind in the country.
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Daniel Wakelee
HonoredMay 20, 2017
After 15 years in teaching and administrative roles at CSUCI, Daniel Wakelee retired as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Wakelee was instrumental in the 2012 establishment of the Santa Rosa Island Research Station within the Channel Islands National Park.
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Wm. Gregory Sawyer
HonoredAugust 2, 2016
Wm. Gregory Sawyer served as founding Vice President for Student Affairs from 2002-2017. Dr. Sawyer dedicated and demonstrated his leadership through his efforts to hiring, developing and encouraging a diverse student-centered and student-focused Division of Student Affairs, which fosters an inclusive and collegial learning environment.
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Kirsten Moss
HonoredJune 2016
While serving as CSUCI's Associate Director of Access, Orientation, & Transition, Kirsten Moss was an integral part of the Center for Multicultural Engagement. She was recognized for her dedication to the CSUCI community.
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Gayle E. Hutchinson
Gayle E. Hutchinson served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
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George Morten
Honored October 23, 2012
George Morton served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Aside from his many roles on the CSUCI campus, he also served as Dean of Student Life. Morten was recognized for his contributions in shaping the unique culture at CSUCI through his great dedication to the campus community.
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Therese S. Eyermann
Therese Eyermann was awarded with this recognition in consideration of her contributions to CSUCI during her tenure as Chief of Staff to the President and having served as the Interim Operations Officer for Advancement.
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Joanne Coville
Joanne Coville served as the founding Vice President for Finance & Administration from 2001-2011. Coville was recognized for her immense contributions to the development of CSUCI.
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J. Handel Evans
Honored August 17, 2002
J. Handel Evans was the inaugural recipient of the Presidential Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the University President. Evans played a key role in the establishment of CSU Channel Islands as the Planning President from 1996-2001. Evans was recognized with this award for his hard work and dedication in building community support, lobbying for funds, securing the first two multimillion donations for the University, and the early planning and development of CSUCI.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. CSUCI complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
CSUCI is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At CSUCI, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.