Following a national search, Willie J. Hagan, president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, has appointed Ellen Junn as provost and vice president for academic affairs effective Jan. 21, 2014.
Twenty-seven of Junn’s 30 years of experience in higher education have been within the CSU, most recently as provost and vice president for academic affairs at San José State University (SJSU). Her many accomplishments at SJSU include a refocusing of the campus’ graduation rate initiative, the creation of a new undergraduate research initiative, the inception of the university’s academic plan through 2017, the establishment of departmental grants designed to improve student success, retention, and graduation rates, and support innovation in teaching and learning, and the support of new technologies in facilitating student learning.
“Junn is highly and widely regarded for her commitment to collegial governance and a faculty-centric, collaborative work style focused on student access and academic success,” Hagan said. “I am confident her leadership will enable us to not only build upon the momentum we have already achieved, but also accomplish our highest goals moving forward.”
Junn served as associate provost at CSU Fresno from 2008 to 2011, during which time she successfully established a new center for the advancement of learning and teaching, reconfigured the new technology innovations for learning and teaching, and secured accreditation approval for a variety of new graduate, doctoral, international, and online degree programs.
Prior to Fresno, she spent 16 years at CSU Fullerton, where she served in a variety of capacities, including as associate dean of the College of Health and Human Development, director of the Faculty Development Center, and professor in child and adolescent studies. Her passion for positive student learning outcomes, faculty development, and technology in teaching resulted in unprecedented student and faculty achievement, along with distinguished recognition for her work through several university awards, including Affirming Diversity, Outstanding Faculty Service, and Outstanding Teacher Scholar.
Junn holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in cognitive development psychology from Princeton University, and graduated cum laude with her bachelor’s in experimental and cognitive psychology from the University of Michigan. She also completed the management and development from Harvard University. Her research and publications include early childhood education and advocacy, college teaching effectiveness, faculty development, and educational equity and diverse issues.
“I am very honored and excited to be joining CSUDH,” Junn said. “CSUDH has a rich history and a wonderful group of diverse students. This coupled with dedicated and talented faculty and staff led by a visionary inclusive president who has a focus on student success and staff support resonated with my values, which made me immediately love the campus.”
The provost and vice president of academic affairs is a key position in the university administration, responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for the university’s academic vision. Junn will oversee all academic units, including the university’s six colleges and University Library, as well as all academic centers, institutes and instructional programs and activities, with the goal of ensuring that teaching, research and creative activities at CSU Dominguez Hills meet the highest academic standards and that the quality of the university’s academic programs attract, retain and graduate students. The provost also serves as the chief executive officer for the campus in the president’s absence.
