Dear CSUDH Community,
It is with great sadness that Dr. Joanne Zitelli’s friends at CCPE (former CEIE, College of Extended and International Education) wish to inform the DH community of her passing on February 15, 2026.
Joanne Zitelli served at Dominguez Hills for over 30 years before she retired in 2014, fully committed to the success of the university and its mission. In all her capacities as instructor of English and Humanities, Director of the Humanities External Degree M.A. program (HUX), Associate Dean at CEIE (now CCPE), and lastly, Interim Dean of the college, she was the quiet but firm voice of a dedicated educator. Joanne loved her students and was always proud of their accomplishments. With a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC Irvine, she had a deep appreciation of the complexity of the human experience. She believed in exploring foreign cultures and was instrumental in promoting Study Abroad programs to all DH students, encouraging students to travel and expand their understanding of the world.
Joanne Zitelli was also a passionate advocate of interdisciplinary programs which, among other initiatives, led her to co-create the Applied Studies degree-completion program for adult learners in partnership with CBAPP. Joanne supervised numerous theses in the HUX Master’s degree program and was an early supporter of online instruction, which eventually became a signature feature of the CEIE degree programs. A tireless and compassionate administrator, Joanne was always available to advise and support students. And to appreciate the staff, she generously treated her colleagues on holidays with delicious homemade food!
In her retirement, Joanne deepened her natural curiosity about all facets of life by taking trips abroad, visiting national parks, attending art museums and music concerts, and following achievements in space exploration.
It would be an understatement to say that Joanne Zitelli was a kind and caring person. Her unassuming manner of extending herself to family and friends informed all her interactions. Her passing, after a second stroke, leaves a void that memories cannot fill.
Joanne will be sincerely missed by all who knew her. We wish to express our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
