Departure of VP for Student Affairs, Dr. Lea Jarnagin

May 13, 2019

I write to share the news that Dr. Lea Jarnagin, who has served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona since July 2016, has announced that she will leave our campus to assume a new leadership opportunity in the CSU Office of the Chancellor effective July 1, 2019.

Dr. Jarnagin has served the California State University system for over twenty-seven years in a variety of roles across three campuses – San Marcos, Fullerton, and Pomona – working to support and advance the CSU mission and its focus on student success. She will continue to provide leadership to the CSU as she takes on a new role in the Office of the Chancellor aimed at advancing student engagement and well-being initiatives across our twenty-three campuses. 

During her time at Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Jarnagin has been an important member of my senior leadership team during a crucial period of growth and development for our University. She has played a pivotal role in the development of the University’s Strategic Plan, including our emphasis on holistic student wellness services and programs that are integral to our student success goals. She has also provided leadership to the systemwide Graduation Initiative 2025 (GI 2025) by serving as co-chair of the CSU’s Task Force on Student Engagement and Wellbeing.   

Dr. Jarnagin’s impact on our campus is considerable. Among her many accomplishments, she led the establishment of the Bronco Dreamers Resource Center, worked collaboratively with ASI student leadership to establish CPP’s food pantry that opened this Spring, and created the Student Health and Wellbeing cluster in the Division of Student Affairs to focus on holistic student wellness services and programs. 

Of particular import, she has worked collaboratively with Provost Alva to develop a comprehensive student success model that will support our continued progress toward our GI 2025 goals, including the creation of college-based student success teams and the pilot of an innovative student success coaching initiative in CLASS. Under her leadership, we have strengthened our approach to orientation and created the foundation for a strong parent and family program. Over the past year, she has led a campus-wide signature initiative to advance our inclusive polytechnic approach to ready our students for the future of work, human and civic engagement.

I know that you join me in thanking Dr. Jarnagin for her many contributions to Cal Poly Pomona and wishing her well as she seizes this next professional opportunity to make her mark at the CSU system-level. We will recognize and celebrate her accomplishments and her transition at an event later this summer. I anticipate making an announcement before the end of the month on interim plans for leadership of the Division of Student Affairs.