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
Chief of Operations
Office of the Vice President
Tara Garcia was appointed as the Chief of Operations for Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion in October 2017. In her role Tara oversees the division budget and HR as well as special projects, strategic planning and data analytics. She has maintained a strong professional relationship with Cal State Fullerton, serving University Advancement as the Executive Director of University Advancement for Administration & Finance/Philanthropic Foundation CFO since 2013.
Her career on our campus has included Major Events from 1997-2002 as their Director of Finance; Coordinator of Business Services for Advancement Operations from 2002-2004; Director of Fiscal & Administrative Services for Advancement Operations from 2004-2008; and Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Division Human Resources Manager from 2008-2013. Not only has her professional endeavors proven her to be a loyal Titan, she is also an alumnus as she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton.
(657) 278-5312 | tgarcia@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 l 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
