Dear Titan Community,

After a comprehensive national search, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Phenicia McCullough as vice president for human resources and inclusive excellence (HRIE). She has served this role on an interim basis since April 2024, leading with integrity, vision and a deep commitment to our Titan community.

A transformative human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience, Phenicia has built a career dedicated to fostering a universitywide culture of care and belonging. Under her direction, Cal State Fullerton has become a gold standard of excellence in human resources innovation and services across the California State University system. Her efforts reflect a deep belief that organizational strategy and inclusive excellence are not separate goals, but interdependent drivers of student and employee success.

Her leadership continues to shape a high-performing campus where every member of our community can thrive. Phenicia’s accomplishments at Cal State Fullerton include:

• Advancing Inclusive Excellence: Spearheaded initiatives that increased under-resourced staff representation by 12.5% and faculty by 10.1%. This progress contributed to a 142-place rise on the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity list.
• Fostering Engagement and Belonging: Expanded faculty and staff connection through strategic series of community-building events that engaged more than 17,000 participants. This includes founding CSUF’s first-ever LeadHERship Women’s Conference and hosting the first MPP Leadership Retreat since 2020.
• Systemwide Innovation: Realigned the HRIE division for greater impact by integrating eight Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers and establishing the Office for Civil Rights and Equity. Led CSUF as the first campus to deploy Common Human Resources System, establishing a new model for HR technology.
• Driving Operational Transformation: Reengineered human resource operations to achieve a 202% increase in HR operational capacity with minimal headcount growth, overseeing a 62% rise in staff recruitments and 16% rise in faculty hiring.
• Ensuring Fiscal Stewardship: Managed a $15.6 million operating budget and secured more than $2.2 million in external funding to sustain and expand key wellness and recognition programs that strengthened employee well-being.

Please join me in congratulating Vice President Phenicia McCullough on this well-deserved appointment. Her dedication to inclusive excellence, operational transformation, and the well-being of our campus community continues to strengthen our collective mission and move Fullerton Forward.

Sincerely,

Ronald S. Rochon
President