Effective July 15, the University of La Verne will welcome Homa Shabahang as the new Associate Vice President of Regional Campuses.

Shabahang has served on numerous boards including the World Affairs Council in Orange County, has presented at various conferences such as the annual meeting of the Pacific Rim Council of Urban Development in Vancouver, British Columbia and has been published in journals including the Iranian Economic Development Journal.

Shabahang will come to the University in order to guide undergraduate and graduate programs through regional campus networks and online, which are offered to adults according to a memorandum sent out by Richard McDowell, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

“Dr. Shabahang was interviewed by the Search Committee, in an open meeting on campus, another at the School of Continuing Education, by the Deans, by the President, Executive Vice President and by me,” said McDowell of the selection process.

“Her references were checked by various members of the committee and by me,” he added. “We had five candidates actually visit the campus, with more being interviewed by phone by the committee members.”

With over 17 years of experience, Shabahang most recently served as Associate Dean at the College of Professional Studies at the University of San Francisco.

There, she oversaw four graduate and five undergraduate degree programs, two certificate programs and extended education, which was offered at six campuses.

Shabahang was also the head of a full-time faculty including 21 members and 450 active additional faculty.

She developed and was in charge of the budget for the university, student recruitment and marketing plans, as well as publications, management of new program development and assessment and graduate and undergraduate admissions were also duties held by Shabahang.

Shabahang also served as Associate Dean for the School of Business and Economics at Chapman University, Assistant Professor for the Department of Economics and Educational Equity Program Coordinator at Cal State Fullerton and Chair of the Economics Department at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.

“One of the qualities that Dr. Shabahang brings to ULV is one of perspective. She has held major positions at several universities throughout California and she brings with her a fresh set of eyes,” said Stephen Lesniak, Academic and Student Services assistant dean.

“These will allow her to compare the policies and practices of ULV to the best practices of other institutions and to point out where we are doing well and where change would be warranted,” he added.

Shabahang received her doctorate in economics at the University of Oklahoma, her master’s in economics at Texas A & M University and her bachelor’s in economics with a minor in public administration at Pahlavi University in Shiraz, Iran.

“I have found Homa to be most gracious and I look forward to working with her,” Lesniak said. “I believe we will form a strong team that will build on the many strengths of the Office of Regional Campuses, formerly the School of Continuing Education.”

Marilee Lorusso can be reached at mlorusso@ulv.edu.