Willie J. Hagan

Willie J. Hagan is an American educator and public university administrator. He was the 7th[1] president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, a public university located in the city of Carson, California in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County.[2]

Willie J. Hagan
Dr. Willie J. Hagan in 2016
7th President of California State University, Dominguez Hills
In office
May 2, 2014  June 30, 2018
Succeeded byThomas A. Parham
Interim President of California State University, Dominguez Hills
In office
June 11, 2012  May 1, 2014
Preceded byMildred Garcia
Interim President of California State University, Fullerton
In office
January 9, 2012  June 10, 2012
Preceded byMilton A. Gordon
Succeeded byMildred Garcia
Personal details
Born
Willie J. Hagan
SpouseBetty
ChildrenLynea (daughter); Danny, Steven (stepsons)
Alma materUniversity of Connecticut (PhD.)
University of California Los Angeles (MFA)
ProfessionUniversity president, educator

Early life and education

During much of his youth, Hagan was predominantly raised by his mother, Dorothy Marie Hagan, while for six months a year, his father served in the United States Navy aboard a nuclear submarine, during the Cold War.[3]

Hagan earned a Ph.D. in psychology, from the University of Connecticut, in 1994. His dissertation was called "Helplessness through modeling: The role of age and perceived similarity in competence."[4] He also earned a Master of Fine Arts, in screenwriting, from the University of California Los Angeles, in 1998. While there, he wrote a screenplay called “Ayla,” in which the female protagonist leaves male-dominated Istanbul, for a new life in the United States.[5][6][7]

Career

From 1973 to 1996, Hagan also served at the University of Connecticut, which culminated in his term as associate vice president for administration.[8] During his 23-year tenure,[9] he also lobbied both federal and state governments on behalf of the university, as well as the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education. He also led the United States' political delegations to London and Taiwan, as a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders.[10]

Having joined CSU Fullerton, in 1996, as vice president for administration and later as interim vice president for university advancement, he subsequently served as vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer. On January 9, 2012, Hagan then began serving as interim president at California State University, Fullerton, upon the retirement of university president, Milton A. Gordon.[11]

On June 11, 2012, Hagan began service as the interim president of CSU, Dominguez Hills.[12]

In May 2013, he was named the permanent president[13] and on May 2, 2014, he was inaugurated as the seventh president of the university.[14] After five years, Hagan announced his retirement in 2017 for the next year.[15]

Tenure

Hagan has advanced the Male Success Alliance (MSA) program at CSU, Dominguez Hills. It is a nationally recognized program which targets the low graduation rates of African-American and Latino males from college and high school.

In addition, there are several college-bound initiatives which he promotes: the "Promise Program," where the university goes into middle and high schools and works with students to complete their academic requirements and gain admittance to the university; the "Summer Bridge Academy," which works with students who have academic deficiencies in their core courses; "Super Saturday," a day-long college fair for middle and high school students, parents, families and friends to learn about colleges, majors, programs and available resources; and "Super Sunday," another outreach program where the university goes into churches to bring the college fair experience directly to students and their families there.[16]

On August 10, 2016, California Campus Compact announced that its executive board had selected Hagan, and University of San Diego president, James T. Harris III as new members. Their three-year terms, began retroactively, on July 1, 2016.[17]

Honors and awards

On February 3, 2016, Hagan was among those honored by the City of Los Angeles, with the Hall of Fame award. Hagan was the recipient of the award for “Outstanding Achievement in Education” for his role in “reinvigorating” CSU Dominguez Hills' mission for its students and communities it serves.[18]

Personal life

Hagan is married to his wife, Betty, who is a retired speech pathologist and special education teacher at Katella High School in the Anaheim Union High School District, after a career of over 35 years. He has a daughter, Lynea and two stepsons, Danny and Steven. Steven and his wife, Traci, have a daughter, his grandchild Katie.[19]

References

  1. Past & Present Leadership The California State University. 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020
  2. President's Bio. Dr. Willie J. Hagan California State University, Dominguez Hills. 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016
  3. Presidential Investiture Speech. President Willie J. Hagan Investiture Speech May 2, 2014. 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  4. Search ProQuest. 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017
  5. Industry Judges Select Best UCLA Scripts for June 15 Screenwriting Showcase Teri Bond Michael. UCLA Newsroom. June 9, 1998.Retrieved July 28, 2017
  6. UCLA fetes screenwriters Nick Madigan. Variety. June 16, 1998. Retrieved July 28, 2017
  7. President's Bio. Dr. Willie J. Hagan California State University, Dominguez Hills. 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016
  8. Willie Hagan LinkedIn. 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017
  9. Willie Hagan LinkedIn. 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017
  10. Willie Hagan Named Interim President News Release. California State University. Office of the Chancellor. January 3, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  11. Willie Hagan Named Interim President News Release. California State University. Office of the Chancellor. January 3, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  12. Willie J. Hagan Appointed Interim President of California State University, Dominguez Hills Press Release. Media Center. California State University. April 9, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  13. Willie J. Hagan Appointed President of California State University, Dominguez Hills CSU News. CSUN Today. California State University Northridge. May 22, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  14. Inauguration of Dr. Willie J. Hagan California State University, Dominguez Hills. 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  15. "Cal State Dominguez Hills president to retire next summer". Daily Breeze.
  16. CSUDH President Willie J. Hagan: A Man on a Mission Dr. Valerie Wardlaw. Los Angeles Sentinel. September 21, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  17. Cal State Dominguez Hills President Willie J. Hagan Selected Executive Board Member by the California Campus Compact. Paul Browning. Dateline Dominguez. California State University, Dominguez Hills. August 10, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  18. Lionel Richie receives Los Angeles City Hall Living Legend Award Compton Herald. February 6, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016
  19. Presidential Investiture Speech. President Willie J. Hagan Investiture Speech May 2, 2014. 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2016
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