CPGE Interim Dean Full Bio
Detailed Leadership Bio
Dr. Larisa Preiser-Houy brings decades of institutional leadership to her role as Interim Dean of the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE), where she advances innovative, workforce-aligned education for adult, professional, and non-traditional learners.
Her leadership is grounded in a strong institutional legacy, having guided Cal Poly Pomona (六色网) through the WSCUC accreditation process, led the conversion from quarters to semesters, and launched the first named CSU graduate business school in Southern California, made possible by a transformative $12.5 million gift from alumni David and Ruth Singelyn.
At CPGE, she has built on that foundation to position the college as a mission-critical enabler of career-connected learning and regional/global impact. Under her leadership, CPGE had launched new graduate degree programs, expanded workforce development programs and international partnerships, and advanced strategic improvements that recently generated $6.5 million in tuition revenue. Across her academic and industry careers, she has championed inclusive innovation and cross-divisional collaboration to create sustainable, high-impact change.
Over the past year, Larisa has secured $1.85 million in philanthropic and external funding for CPGE to expand educational access, opportunity, and impact. This includes a $1.35 million investment to launch a Workforce Engagement Ecosystem through a new Workforce Innovation and Career Engagement (WICE) Office, as well as a $ 500,000 workforce training contract from the.
Dr. Preiser-Houy holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Management Information Systems, and an M.B.A. in Strategic Management from Claremont Graduate University. A proud Cal Poly Pomona alumna, she also earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. Larisa is a graduate of Harvard’s Management Development Program and holds certifications in strategic planning, equity-minded practices, student success analytics, and assessment leadership.
Looking ahead, Larisa is leading CPGE’s strategic transformation into a future-focused, innovative, and impact-driven college. She is advancing accessible, responsive programs; forging strategic partnerships between industry and the community; expanding global collaborations; and championing equitable pathways from education to employment, aligning with California’s evolving and dynamic workforce needs.