Historian Donna Nicol '99 to lead CSULB College of Liberal Arts

Cal State Long Beach has appointed historian Donna Nicol '99 to lead the College of Liberal Arts as its new dean, effective today.

"I am honored and humbled by this appointment, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our faculty, staff, students and Provost Scissum Gunn for entrusting me with this responsibility," Nicol said. "I am committed to listening, leading with integrity and equity-mindedness, and ensuring that the College of Liberal Arts continues to be a place where every member of our community can thrive."

Nicol has served the college as associate dean for personnel and curriculum since 2024 and will start in her new role today. A historian of higher education, Nicol arrives to her new role with about 20 years' experience as a California State University faculty member and leader.

"I am excited to see Dr. Nicol lead the future direction of the College of Liberal Arts," Provost Gunn said. "During her time at The Beach, she has already demonstrated thoughtful leadership, deep commitment to student success and a clear understanding of the vital role the liberal arts play in shaping engaged and informed graduates."

Nicol, also a former Los Angeles Unified School District teacher, earned her Master of Arts in history from The Beach and completed a Master of Arts in higher education administration and a Ph.D. in educational studies from The Ohio State University.

Before returning to CSULB, Nicol was a faculty member with the Department of Women and Gender Studies at Cal State Fullerton, where she was the first women of color to earn tenure. She also served as a professor and chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Cal State Dominguez Hills, where she was the first woman to rise to full professor.

Nicol's academic specialty is the history of African Americans in higher education. She authored "Black Woman on Board: Claudia Hampton, the California State University, and the Fight to Save Affirmative Action." (University of Rochester Press, 2024), a Best Indie Book Award honoree, also longlisted for the 2025 PEN America Open Book Award.

She has also contributed her expertise to community-focused work. Nicol was a co-lead of the 2023 State of Black Los Angeles County Report and while at The Ohio State University, she oversaw a $1 million Teaching American History Grant elementary school teachers to receive additional history instruction.