Cal Poly Pomona Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Cal Poly Pomona has 7 executives leading key functions including information technology, academic administration, security compliance, and faculty representation.

Committed to polytechnic excellence, Cal Poly Pomona fosters an environment of hands-on learning and innovation to prepare students for successful careers in a global economy.

Leadership Roles at Cal Poly Pomona

  • President - Vanya Quiñones
  • California Faculty Association Chapter President - Nicholas Glahn
  • CFA Chapter President - Bonnie Thorne
  • President, Pace Setters - Kathleen Harcharik
  • Vice President & Chief Information Officer - John McGuthry
  • Vice President & Chief Information Officer - Debra Brum
  • Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology Security Compliance & Chief People Officer - Carolyn Gonzales
  • Vanya Quiñones - President

    Vanya Quiñones, the President at Cal Poly Pomona, provides executive leadership for the entire university, guiding the institution toward its strategic goals in polytechnic education. Overseeing academic programs, campus development, and community partnerships, the President ensures that the university maintains its commitment to student success and inclusive excellence. This leadership role involves engaging with the Board of Trustees and external stakeholders to secure funding and support for research initiatives. By fostering a culture of innovation, Vanya Quiñones drives the university's reputation as a leader in applied learning. The President coordinates with various vice presidents to align departmental objectives with the overarching mission of the institution. Through consistent advocacy for faculty and student needs, Quiñones shapes the long-term vision of the university, ensuring that the campus remains a vibrant hub for intellectual growth and professional development.
    Vanya Quiñones

    Nicholas Glahn - California Faculty Association Chapter President

    Nicholas Glahn, the California Faculty Association Chapter President at Cal Poly Pomona, represents the interests of the academic staff in labor negotiations and policy discussions. Overseeing the advocacy efforts for faculty rights, the California Faculty Association Chapter President ensures that teaching conditions align with professional standards and contractual agreements. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the faculty body and university administration to resolve grievances and improve workplace equity. By championing the needs of educators, Nicholas Glahn directly influences the quality of the academic environment. The California Faculty Association Chapter President coordinates with regional union representatives to address broader systemic issues affecting higher education in California. Through active participation in governance committees, Glahn secures better outcomes for faculty members, which in turn supports the university's mission of delivering high-quality instruction to students across all disciplines.

    Bonnie Thorne - CFA Chapter President

    Bonnie Thorne, the CFA Chapter President at Cal Poly Pomona, leads the local faculty union efforts to promote professional development and fair labor practices. Overseeing the implementation of collective bargaining agreements, the CFA Chapter President ensures that faculty members receive the necessary support to excel in their research and teaching roles. This role involves organizing advocacy campaigns and participating in institutional planning to ensure that faculty perspectives remain central to university decision-making. By fostering collaboration among academic departments, Bonnie Thorne strengthens the collective voice of the teaching staff. The CFA Chapter President works closely with university leadership to address workload concerns and resource allocation, ensuring that the academic mission remains the top priority. Through dedicated representation, Thorne maintains a stable and equitable environment for educators, which directly contributes to the overall success and reputation of the university.

    Kathleen Harcharik - President, Pace Setters

    Kathleen Harcharik, the President, Pace Setters at Cal Poly Pomona, directs the activities of the university's retiree association to maintain strong connections between former staff and the current campus community. Overseeing engagement programs and networking events, the President, Pace Setters ensures that the institutional knowledge and legacy of retired employees remain integrated into the university's culture. This leadership role involves coordinating with the university advancement office to support fundraising and mentorship initiatives. By facilitating ongoing involvement from the retiree community, Kathleen Harcharik helps preserve the history and values of the institution. The President, Pace Setters manages communication channels that keep alumni and former faculty informed about campus developments. Through these efforts, Harcharik fosters a sense of continuity and pride, ensuring that the university's long-term supporters remain active participants in the ongoing growth and success of the campus.
    Kathleen Harcharik

    John McGuthry - Vice President & Chief Information Officer

    John McGuthry, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Cal Poly Pomona, directs the digital infrastructure and technological advancement of the university. Overseeing the integration of academic software and campus-wide network stability, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer ensures that students and faculty maintain access to cutting-edge research tools. This leadership role involves managing large-scale data systems that support the university's mission of polytechnic education. By modernizing campus connectivity, John McGuthry directly impacts the efficiency of administrative and instructional workflows. The Vice President & Chief Information Officer coordinates with academic departments to implement scalable cloud solutions, facilitating seamless digital learning experiences across the Pomona campus. Through strategic investment in hardware and software, McGuthry secures the technological foundation necessary for long-term institutional growth and academic excellence.
    John McGuthry

    Debra Brum - Vice President & Chief Information Officer

    Debra Brum, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Cal Poly Pomona, manages the strategic deployment of information systems and digital resources. Focusing on the optimization of student information portals and administrative databases, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer drives the implementation of data-driven decision-making tools. This role involves aligning technological capabilities with the university's pedagogical goals to enhance user accessibility. By streamlining digital communication channels, Debra Brum improves the overall operational agility of the institution. The Vice President & Chief Information Officer collaborates with campus stakeholders to identify emerging software needs, ensuring that the university remains competitive in the higher education landscape. Through rigorous oversight of information systems, Brum maintains the integrity and availability of critical academic data, supporting the broader mission of providing high-quality, hands-on education to the diverse student body.

    Carolyn Gonzales - Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology Security Compliance & Chief People Officer

    Carolyn Gonzales, the Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology Security Compliance & Chief People Officer at Cal Poly Pomona, architects the security framework for all digital assets. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols and compliance standards, the Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology Security Compliance & Chief People Officer protects sensitive student and faculty data from emerging threats. This role also encompasses human resources strategy, where the executive manages talent acquisition and organizational culture. By integrating security awareness into the workforce development process, Carolyn Gonzales ensures that the university maintains a secure and productive environment. The Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Information Technology Security Compliance & Chief People Officer collaborates with IT leadership to mitigate risks while simultaneously fostering a supportive workplace. Through this dual focus on security and people, Gonzales strengthens the operational resilience of the institution.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Cal Poly Pomona Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Cal Poly Pomona?
    Cal Poly Pomona is led by Vanya Quiñones (President), along with executives such as Nicholas Glahn (California Faculty Association Chapter President) and Bonnie Thorne (CFA Chapter President).
    Who is part of Cal Poly Pomona’s executive team?
    The executive team of Cal Poly Pomona includes leaders such as Vanya Quiñones (President), Nicholas Glahn (California Faculty Association Chapter President), Bonnie Thorne (CFA Chapter President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Cal Poly Pomona have?
    Cal Poly Pomona has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Cal Poly Pomona’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Cal Poly Pomona includes roles such as President, California Faculty Association Chapter President, CFA Chapter President, President, Pace Setters, Vice President & Chief Information Officer.