Dr. Jennifer Coyle became the 18th president of ½ðɳÓéÀÖ University in July 2022, though her ceremonial inauguration was later held in March 2023.
The first alumna to lead ½ðɳÓéÀÖ as president, Dr. Coyle has 30-plus years of firsthand experience as a member of the ½ðɳÓéÀÖ community. She earned three degrees at ½ðɳÓéÀÖ â€” a bachelor of visual science, doctor of optometry, and master of science in vision science. She also completed a residency in contact lenses at ½ðɳÓéÀÖ.
As a first-generation college student, she has a deep understanding of ½ðɳÓéÀÖ's core student demographic — and she also has experienced ½ðɳÓéÀÖ as a Boxer parent, with children completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees at ½ðɳÓéÀÖ.
Professionally, Dr. Coyle taught in the College of Optometry starting in 1994. She served as associate dean of the college from 2006 to 2008 and as dean from 2008 to 2019. During her leadership of the ½ðɳÓéÀÖ University College of Optometry, she was instrumental in creating the Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic — a partnership between the colleges of Optometry and Health Professions — as well as establishing the PhD program in vision science and international partnerships to expand the profession. She also was intimately involved in university-wide strategic planning, accreditation, new program development, fundraising and alumni relations.
She took a hiatus from ½ðɳÓéÀÖ to serve as dean of the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University before returning as ½ðɳÓéÀÖ's president.
As an alumna, parent, employee and friend of the university for the past 30 years, Dr. Coyle brings a unique perspective to ½ðɳÓéÀÖ’s top office.