People Leadership Team
Phenicia McCullough
Vice President
Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion
Phenicia McCullough is a seasoned Human Resources professional with several years of human resources management experience in higher education, holding positions within the California State University system at the Office of the Chancellor and the Dominguez Hills campus. She joined Cal State Fullerton in 2001 in Human Resources and advanced to the position of Chief of Operations. She most recently held the position of Associate Vice President of Human Resource Services, overseeing Academic Human Resources, Benefits and Retirement Services, Compensation Services, EAP, Employment Services/Talent Acquisition, Payroll, Total Wellness, and Worker’s Compensation/ADA. Phenicia is dedicated to implementing and meeting the strategic goals and university priorities.
Phenicia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master of science degree in human resources development from the University of Texas at Tyler.
(657) 278-4637 | vphr@fullerton.edu
TARA GARCIA
Director of Employment Services
Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion
Tara Garcia brings a wealth of operational and leadership skills and expertise to the position. Previously appointed as the Chief of Operations for Human Resources, Diversity, and Inclusion in October 2017, Tara has effectively overseen divisional budgets and HR functions and spearheaded special projects, strategic planning, and data analytics initiatives. Before her tenure in HRDI, Tara made significant contributions to University Advancement, where she held various roles, including Executive Director and Philanthropic Foundation CFO. This diverse background underscores her versatility and adaptability within different organizational contexts. Notably, Tara's connection to CSUF goes beyond her professional endeavors; she is also an alumna, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton. This deep-rooted affiliation further strengthens her commitment to the university's mission and values.
(657) 278-5312
tgarcia@fullerton.edu
NATALIE BERSIG
Associate Vice President
Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion
Natalie Bersig's distinguished leadership spans CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, and CSU Dominguez Hills, where she has earned acclaim as a reliable resource for navigating complex faculty and student employment issues. Natalie is a champion of collaborative partnerships delivering tailored solutions that enhance the faculty, staff and student experience. Her active involvement in system-wide initiatives and campus advisory roles underscores her dedication to serving the university community. She has spearheaded projects aimed at streamlining faculty processes and implemented digital solutions for improved efficiency. Natalie serves in an advisory capacity to the Academic Senate Faculty Affairs Committee. Natalie holds a bachelor's and master’s degrees in public administration from CSU Dominguez Hills, along with the Senior Certified Professional Credential from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).
(657) 278-3824
nbersig@fullerton.edu
BARBARA KABALA
Chief of Operations
Office of the Vice President
Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion
Barbara's Cal State Fullerton journey began in 2015 as a member of the HRDI VP Operations team, where she gained recognition as a dependable resource for a range of operational responsibilities. After serving as executive assistant to the vice president, her commitment to the University and its mission led to her appointment in the Office of the President as University House Manager and Events Coordinator. In this position Barbara played an instrumental role in supporting the strategic goals and initiatives of the Office of the President while fostering relationships with campus and community stakeholders. Barbara holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Brandman University.
(657) 278-4900
bkabala@fullerton.edu
CECIL CHIK, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Cecil first joined Cal State Fullerton in 2019 and most recently served as the Director of Engagement and Learning. During her time as a Titan, she has led the launch of the staff development center, built the many training and development programs launched over the last few years, and built strong relationships across campus to pursue a more just and equitable campus community. Prior to her time at CSUF, she was the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Cecil earned a bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education and a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida. She is currently a doctoral candidate in CSUF’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. program and is expected to complete her studies in summer 2022.
(657) 278-2785
cchik@fullerton.edu
JOHN BEISNER
Executive Director
Risk Management and Compliance
John Beisner is currently serving as the Executive Director for Risk Management. He and those he works with are responsible for preserving the human, financial and physical assets of the University, maximizing the beneficial aspects of campus programs and activities, and minimizing the negative impacts of unpredictable events. John began working at Cal State Fullerton in 1992 and has held throughout his career several different leadership positions within HRDI as well as in the President’s Office, Student Affairs, and Administration & Finance. He earned a J.D. from Yale Law School and a B.A. in Business Administration from Cal State Fullerton.
(657) 278-4937
jbeisner@fullerton.edu
MICHELLE TAPPER
Assistant Vice President
Labor and Employee Relations
Michelle Tapper has served as the Assistant Vice President of Labor and Employee Relations for the Division of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion since February 2017. Prior to this appointment, Tapper served as the Manager for Faculty Labor and Employee Relations and Compliance. Previous to that, she served as the Compliance Officer/Title IX Administrator. She is currently a member of the CSUF Clery Compliance Team, and a member of the CSUF Athletics Equity Committee Compliance. She joined CSUF in 2005 as part of the Athletics Department where she served as the Assistant Softball Coach and later as the Compliance Coordinator before being appointed in 2011 as the Assistant Director of Athletics overseeing institutional compliance with NCAA Division I regulations and serving as the sport administrator for the Softball and Women’s Tennis programs as well as the Deputy TIX Coordinator for Athletics. Michelle holds a B.A. from the University of the Pacific and an M.A. from Concordia University, Irvine.
657-278-4207
mtapper@fullerton.edu
