Leanne M. Neilson

​Leanne M. Neilson has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs of California Lutheran University since 2009, having served the university since 1993 in many other capacities, including as associate provost for graduate programs and accreditation, director of the graduate psychology program, and as a psychology faculty member. As provost, she led the development of a new strategic plan, was engaged in Cal Lutheran’s merger with a seminary and in the university’s recognition as a Hispanic-serving institution, and championed significant growth in faculty diversity. Neilson spearheaded an institution-wide collaboration to overhaul their shared governance system. Previously, she worked as staff research associate at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in the Clinical Research Center for Schizophrenia at Camarillo State Hospital. Neilson received the CIC Chief Academic Officer Award in 2019.