By Daisy Ratzlaff
It was 12 years ago, when Bradley Olin, CSUCI’s newly appointed Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs and newest member of the President’s Cabinet, set foot on the campus and felt an instant sense of connection. The Southern California native, who grew up in West Los Angeles, was visiting the campus as a System Budget Analyst for the Chancellor’s Office to gain a better understanding of campus operations.
“I fell in love,” Olin said. “It was the energy, the people, the physical space, the vibe. I knew I wanted to be part of this. I left telling myself that someday I was going to work here.”
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Educational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach. Olin had initially planned to become a city manager but little did he know that he would eventually return as CSUCI's chief financial officer.
“I began my career working as a city planner, helping people navigate bureaucracy to get things done,” he said. “(But) then the great recession invited me to make a career change.”
As Governor Jerry Brown eliminated redevelopment agencies, thousands of professionals, including Olin, were forced to look for new opportunities. This pivotal moment prompted him to reflect on his core values and consider a new path, which led him to the CSU Office of the Chancellor.
“It wasn’t originally in my wheelhouse,” said Olin. “I wasn’t thinking about higher education as a public agency, but there is a whole apparatus it takes to run a place like this. College and university campuses are almost like cities in themselves.”
Olin’s unique background in policy and navigating complex bureaucratic landscapes helped him find his place in the system-wide budget office, where he implemented financial policy and made strategic financial decisions for the CSU System.
After four years in the Chancellor’s Office, Olin moved to San Jose State University, where he served first as Director of University Budget Planning & Risk Management, and then as Assistant Vice President for Academic Budgets and Planning/ Chief Academic Resources Officer. There, he oversaw university budgeting, institutional research, and served as the designated Chief Enrollment Planning and Reporting Officer, gaining experience that he now brings to Cal State Channel Islands.
"San Jose State is the oldest and first CSU, with deep traditions and structures," Olin said. "And on the other side is us — the baby CSU, still evolving and growing into our shoes. (While) there are things we can learn from an institution that has such a long and storied history of over 160 years, no institution is the same.”
What excites Olin about CSUCI is its distinct atmosphere and potential.
"We are unlike any other CSU, and that’s a good thing,” he said. “When I first came in 2012, I could see the potential everywhere. I still see that potential all over the place, and I’m looking forward to helping us achieve it."
“It was the energy, the people, the physical space, the vibe. I knew I wanted to be part of this. I left telling myself that someday I was going to work here.” –Bradley Olin
Now living a short three-minute bike ride on campus within the University Glen community, Olin values and encourages sustainability. He emphasized the importance of proximity between where people live and work, drawing from his background as a city planner to advocate for this lifestyle choice.
"To me, sustainability is a priority, and what better way to model that than to live those values myself," he said.
As he continues to settle into his new role, which he started in July, Olin acknowledged the significant “behind-the-scenes work” that occurs at a university. He highlighted the careful financial management, negotiations, and personnel decisions that keep the institution running smoothly. He also emphasized the importance of core values, building trust and transparency with his team - whom he affectionately calls the “unsung heroes” - and the University as a whole.
“We are a people-driven operation,” Olin said. “Over 80% of our budget goes to people. So, a lot of my focus is on ensuring our staff has what they need to be successful.”
Looking ahead, Olin is enthusiastic about the rollout of the University’s strategic plan aimed at guiding the University’s future. He acknowledged he doesn’t have a complete vision as he is still focused on listening, learning, and asking questions to develop an informed perspective that will help steer CSUCI forward.
"I believe in using strategic planning as a guiding star to organize around," he said, adding, “One of my responsibilities is to make sure to look at the long-term financial future of the institution, which means more than just one foot in front of the other budget planning. We really need to do more long-range forecasting and projecting. And I am looking forward to shepherding that process.”
Outside of work, Olin is a self-described "closet nerd" who enjoys sci-fi and fantasy. He loves spending time with his partner Annie and two daughters, Cece (11) and Vivi (14), and exploring the outdoors through mountain biking and trail running, with the Ray Miller Trail in Point Mugu State Park being his current favorite.
“Our family does a fair amount of cooking and baking together, and my partner and I love being active in nature,” he said. “During the (COVID-19) pandemic, we took a five-day I-395 road trip to historic sites, like the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Death Valley, Alabama Hills, and Mono Lake.”
Reflecting on his journey and the opportunity he now has, Olin acknowledged the importance of critical thinking, trust, relationships, active listening, and humility as essential for success with this role.
“I like that I am not a traditional finance person. I am learning new things all the time and I love that about the work,” he said. “I don’t consider myself to be an ‘I’ person; I am a ‘we’ person. I want to be there side by side with my team helping them accomplish their goals and drive the institution forward. If I can be honest, this is my dream job.”