Professor Gary Hamilton will serve as the chief of staff to President Soraya M. Coley, beginning in July.

During his 27-year career at Cal Poly Pomona, he has served in various faculty and administrative capacities. Hamilton is the professor of law and strategic management at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, with expertise in human resource management, leadership management and law.

His administrative positions at the university include: special assistant to the provost, interim dean of the College of the Extended University, and interim associate vice president for academic planning, policy and faculty affairs.

“I am honored to serve as the chief of staff to the President’s Office,” Hamilton says. “I am deeply committed to the success of Cal Poly Pomona and its students. We have an enormous opportunity to elevate this institution, and I hope to use my skills and experience to achieve sustained success. I look forward to working with President Coley, the cabinet, faculty and staff in addressing the challenges ahead.”

President Coley praised Hamilton’s passion for serving students.

“Gary Hamilton is a seasoned professional who has served presidents, provosts, deans and also has extensive experience in private industry,” she says. “He has built strong relationships across the campus, always working to support students and the goals of the university.”

Prior to joining Cal Poly Pomona as an assistant professor in 1988, Hamilton served as a legal advisor and assistant director of human resources for the Pratt Hotel Corporations’ Sands Hotel, Casino and Country Club, headquartered in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He became the Collins College’s founding associate dean in 1990. He has been honored as the college’s outstanding professor and the outstanding academic advisor on numerous occasions. Hamilton also has taught at Cornell University, Central Connecticut State University and Bowling Green State University.

Hamilton completed his undergraduate education in psychology and urban studies at the University of Bridgeport. He holds a master’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toledo.

Coley also acknowledged the chair and search committee for their time and diligence during the process. Search committee members included chair Brian Jersky, Steve Alas, Lavada Austin, Sepehr Eskandari, Sydney Ferguson (ASI student) Emma Gibson, Shahnaz Lotfipour, Gary Means, Francine Ramirez, Alex Small and Faye L. Wachs.