March 4, 2025  - Frank Whitlatch appointed Interim Vice President for University Advancement

Dear Campus Community,

With the upcoming retirement on May 16 of Vice President for University Advancement Ahmad Boura, we will soon begin a nationwide search for the position. To launch the search, I will provide a charge to the Executive Management Search Committee (EMEDC) and assemble the augmented committee this semester with the expectation that the search will conclude in fall.

While we search for a new vice president, we will be joined by an interim vice president who is also a recent retiree from the California State University. Frank Whitlatch served for five years as vice president for University Advancement at Cal Poly Humboldt, and prior to that role, he was the associate vice president for marketing and communications at Humboldt, having served the institution for 17 years.

Frank will bring to Chico State deep experience in fundraising, branding, marketing, strategic communications, alumni and community outreach, media relations, and crisis management. He guided Humboldt’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its goal one year ahead of schedule and set numerous fundraising milestones. He also played an important part in plans for the polytechnic transformation of Humboldt and the successful effort to earn historic one-time and ongoing investment from the state. He also was influential in student recruitment marketing efforts, brand enhancement, building partnerships with government and private resources, and revamping the Annual Fund program, among many other contributions.

Frank is a Chico State alumnus, earning bachelor’s degrees in journalism and religious studies on our campus before going on to receive a master’s degree in government from Sacramento State. He will begin his interim position on April 7. Please join me in welcoming Frank back to campus.

Thank you, 
Steve Perez