Sean E. Walker was appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cal State Fullerton, effective March 16.
Walker has been a dedicated member of the campus community for over 20 years, and was named deputy provost in 2024. Prior to that role, he served as associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and a professor of biological science.
“Dr. Walker brings deep institutional knowledge, respected academic leadership and an unwavering commitment to student success,” said CSUF President Ronald Rochon. “He understands our mission, values and shared governance, and he has earned the trust of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners.”
A respected scholar and recipient of CSUF’s 2013 Carol Barnes Excellence in Teaching Award, Walker has published 42 peer-reviewed papers and received funding from the National Science Foundation. His research has focused on animal behavior, herpetology, behavioral toxicology, and the evolutionary and behavioral ecology of crickets and spiders.
In addition, Walker served two terms as chair of the CSUF Academic Senate from 2013 to 2015 and was recognized with the 2017 Faculty Leadership in Collegial Governance Award. He has served on numerous committees during his tenure at CSUF, including the NSM Equitable Excellence Committee and the Graduation Initiative 2025 Bottlenecks and Administrative Barriers Working Group, and played a key role in implementing Goal 3 of the university’s Strategic Plan: Recruit and Retain a High-Quality and Diverse Faculty and Staff.
He currently serves on the Student Success Operational Committee, Black Student Success Committee and the Supplemental Instruction Implementation Team.
“I’m honored and humbled to continue to serve the Cal State Fullerton community in Academic Affairs,” said Walker.
Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Tyler, his master’s and doctorate degrees in zoology from Miami University in Ohio, and his post-doctoral training at the University of Lethbridge in Southern Alberta.