Nichole Ipach was appointed Vice President for University Relations & Advancement and President of CSUN Foundation in November 2021.
Prior to accepting the position as Vice President for University Relations & Advancement and President of CSUN Foundation at California State University Northridge (CSUN), Nichole was Vice President for University Advancement at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) where she was responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of University Communication & Marketing, University Development and Fundraising, Career Services and Alumni Programming, University Events, and management of the CSUCI Foundation and its Board of Directors. In her tenure at CSUCI, Foundation assets increased by nearly fivefold in support of the campus’ educational mission. From 2016-2020 Nichole served as Chair of the Vice Presidents for University Advancement Council for the 23 campus California State University System.
Nichole was also instrumental in assessing CSUCI’s philanthropic student scholarship program, working to understand how scholarships impact student retention and graduation rates – with a specific focus on the impact of scholarships of varying sizes on students from historically under-represented and underserved groups (HUGS) in higher education. She has participated in many critical efforts to further the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion through the revision of the CSUCI investment policy to include a social profile – used as a guideline for Environmental, Social Governances/Socially Responsible Investments – and serving as a Cabinet Champion for our 15-member Inclusive Excellence Action Team charged with promoting inward- and outward-facing advancement and Community & Government Relations efforts for advancing racial and social justice.
Her 21-year professional career in fundraising and advancement work also includes working for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and Many Mansions, an affordable housing organization based in Thousand Oaks, CA. Originally from Clovis, California, Nichole attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated with honors with a B.A. in English. The mother of twins, she lives with her husband in Ventura.