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Dear Campus Community, 

I am pleased to confirm the formal appointment of Michelle Cardona as Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective January 1, 2025. Michelle’s leadership and dedication to Cal Poly Pomona have been instrumental in supporting our university’s mission, and I am confident in her ability to excel in this critical role.

Last semester, Michelle’s service as Administrator in Charge was essential in ensuring continuity within the division of Administrative Affairs. She played an integral role in organizing and facilitating our campus town halls, fostering financial transparency, assuring continuity and momentum in our operations and planning efforts and keeping our community informed and engaged.

Michelle continues to bring over two decades of experience in audit, accounting and financial management to our campus, and her time within our leadership has been invaluable. Since joining Cal Poly Pomona in 2010, she has held a series of leadership roles, including Associate Vice President for Financial Services and Controller, where she implemented system enhancements, drafted campus-wide policies and managed significant financial initiatives, including the administration of $176 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF).

A two-time Bronco alumna, Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting (2005) and her Master of Business Administration (2016) from Cal Poly Pomona. Her deep connection to our university and her expertise in financial stewardship make her exceptionally well-qualified to guide the division during this interim period.

As we move forward, Cal Poly Pomona will launch a national search for the permanent Vice President for Administration and Finance and CFO this spring, with the goal of appointing a permanent incumbent by May 2025. This timeline ensures stability and allows for thoughtful engagement in identifying a leader who will further our university’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency and collaboration.

Please join me in congratulating Michelle on this appointment and thanking her for her service in this vital leadership role.

Sincerely, 
Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D. 
President