Nicole Hawkes, associate provost for strategic initiatives and chief of staff for the provost at Boston University, will join Cal Poly Pomona as chief of staff for President Soraya M. Coley, succeeding Anita Jessup, who is retiring. Hawkes will begin in her new role on June 27.

"Nicole arrives at Cal Poly Pomona with an impressive list of accomplishments and a reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking administrator," Coley said.

In her role at Boston University, Hawkes led efforts on behalf of the provost on several major projects, including strategic planning and academic program development. She also worked closely with the provost on a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of academic programs and the academic reputation of Boston University.

Before joining Boston University in 2011, Hawkes served as associate provost for academic affairs at USC and as senior program associate in the MacArthur Fellows Program of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She earned her bachelor's degree in history from Mount Holyoke College; her master of arts in African studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and her master of science in Arts Administration from Boston University.

Coley thanked Jessup for her contributions to the university.

"I wish Anita all the best as she embarks on her many plans in retirement after more than 23 years of service to the CSU, the final 6½ of which have been at Cal Poly Pomona," Coley said. "She was instrumental in advancing many important initiatives this past year, and she did so with grace and charm."

Jessup, whose final day on campus is July 3, thanked Coley for the opportunity to serve as chief of staff.

"It was a pleasure to work with the president, the Cabinet and so many other talented, caring members of the university community. I am looking forward to starting life's next chapter, but I certainly will miss Cal Poly Pomona."