Faculty & Staff

Cheryl Merritt is the Assistant Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), where she has served as a member of the president’s cabinet since joining the institution in April 2013.

In her role, Cheryl leads the Human Resources department in delivering innovative, employee-centered services across all facets of Human Resources, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, compliance, policy development, and risk management. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in fostering a positive and high-performing workplace culture that aligns with KGI’s mission and values.

Cheryl holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership from Chapman College and brings extensive cross-industry experience to her position. Earlier in her career, she served as Head Women’s Softball Coach at Occidental College, earning recognition as Western Regional Coach of the Year. She also held leadership roles, including General Manager at Samson Products Inc., a manufacturer of fire protection and emergency products, as well as in sales management and career development.

Cheryl credits her diverse professional background with shaping her collaborative leadership style and her enduring commitment to building and supporting environments where individuals and teams thrive.