An interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs has been appointed following former provost Amir Dabirian’s retirement, effective March 16.
In a statement sent to the campus community on Feb. 19, President Ronald Rochon announced deputy provost Sean Walker will be placed in the role until a permanent provost is selected.
“After careful consideration, I have decided not to identify a provost at this time. Instead, I will appoint deputy provost Sean Walker to serve as executive-in-charge to lead the Office of the Provost and oversight of Academic Affairs,” the statement reads.
Walker was selected as deputy provost in 2024 and has worked at Cal State Fullerton for over 20 years. He was a professor of biological sciences before serving as the associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics prior to his role as deputy. Walker also served two terms as the CSUF Academic Senate chair from 2013 to 2015 and was the vice chair and chair of the Department of Biological Science.
He currently holds positions on the Black Student Success Committee, Student Success Operational Committee and the Supplemental Instruction Implementation Team. He is also a part of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Search Committee.
“Dr. Walker brings deep institutional knowledge, respected academic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student success,” the statement reads. “He understands our mission, values, and shared governance, and he has earned the trust of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners.”
The position of provost was first posted by the university in October 2024. In a statement made on April 10, 2025, Rochon announced that the initial search failed and would resume in fall 2025.
Since then, finalists for the role have been able to hold forums that students, faculty and staff were able to attend. These forums are used as an opportunity for the campus community to hear what each candidate can bring to the provost and VPAA role.
At CSUF, the provost and VPAA provides academic and strategic leadership for the university’s undergraduate, graduate research and public service programs.
They also oversee “more than 2,000 faculty and 300 staff members, eight colleges, Academic Programs, Academic Operations, Academic Student Success, Academic Finances and Space Management, Research and Sponsored Projects, Strategic Initiatives, Library, and Extension and International Programs,” according to the university.