CLASS Welcomes New Leadership

By Stephanie Salazar

The College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) is proud to announce three new leadership changes in the CLASS Dean’s Office. 

David Horner, Ph.D., has been appointed by the Provost to serve as the college's interim dean following the retirement of Interim Dean Sara Garver, Ph.D. 

“It is an honor to be able to continue to serve the faculty, staff, and students of this great college in this new and exciting role. I plan to do everything I can to support and promote the best interests of the college and the wonderful team of individuals within it who work so hard to provide such an amazing education to its students,” Horner said. “Our students come from many different backgrounds, and our goal is to recognize and value them as individuals and provide them with first-class opportunities for experiential learning, discovery, and innovation.”

Before his appointment, Horner served as the associate dean for academic personnel and resources for CLASS and as a department chair and professor in the Psychology Department. 

Horner has been at Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) for 20 years and earned his doctorate in psychology from Indiana University and his bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

While Horner serves as the interim dean, Neilan (Neil) Chaturvedi, Ph.D., will serve as the college’s interim associate dean for academic personnel and resources. 

Chaturvedi comes from the Political Science Department, where he served as an associate professor of American politics. 

“I am excited to join the college leadership and continue working toward the college’s goals of supporting our faculty and staff,” Chaturvedi said. “I look forward to working with our outstanding faculty on the many issues they are passionate about, including the successful completion of several searches and a new RTP cycle and working with our talented staff to support our students and departments.”

While at CPP, Chaturvedi has also served in the Academic Senate, chaired the GE Committee, and assisted as a Faculty Equity Liaison on tenure-track searches.

He earned his doctorate and master’s degree in political science from the University of California, Irvine, and his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Riverside. 

Following her successful term as interim associate dean, Brianne Dávila, Ph.D., has been named the college’s permanent associate dean for academic programs and student success.

Before joining the Dean’s Office in 2021, Dávila served as an associate chair and professor in the Sociology Department. 

She has also served in numerous capacities, such as supporting student retention and graduation initiatives, participating in university and college level committees, and advancing institutional support for student parents.

“I am thrilled to continue working on student success initiatives within CLASS and across the University. I’m grateful for the CLASS faculty, advisors, and other staff within the college,”  Dávila said. “We are surrounded by dedicated and passionate scholars and practitioners who lead with compassion and empathy. I want students to know they can lean on us for guidance, support, and encouragement.”

Dávila earned her doctorate and master’s degree in sociology and feminist studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a Spanish minor from Pitzer College.

CLASS is home to 5,419 students, 235 part-time faculty, 141 full-time faculty, and 40 staff members. To learn more about the CLASS Dean’s Office, visit www.cpp.edu/class/discover-class/deans-staff.shtml.