Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail Remembered for Leadership, Mentorship
The word trailblazer doesn’t serve justice to Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail.
Cypress College is remembering Dr. Johnson McPhail, the college’s barrier-breaking 7th president. Dr. Johnson McPhail is known for developing leaders, championing equity, and a life of service. She passed from cancer on March 1, 2026.
“She was a first of firsts,” said Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer. “Her list of achievements, leadership, and vision are an inspiration to many of us who serve in college leadership roles.”
Dr. Johnson McPhail served as president at Cypress College from 1995-1998. She was the first female and the first person of color to lead the college.
“I am profoundly thankful for every moment we shared — the conversations, the laughter, the lessons, the growth, and the love,” read a post on Dr. Johnson McPhail’s Facebook page announcing her passing. “As you continue forward, I ask that you live fully and intentionally. Be a Sankofian. Reach back to uplift someone else. Mentor. Encourage. Love deeply. Walk boldly in faith. Keep moving forward with courage and conviction. In doing so, you honor not only my memory, but the legacy we build together.”
Dr. Johnson McPhail embodied those words, especially love.
It was for love that she left Cypress College. As described by Dr. Pat Ganer in “A Tree Grows in Cypress” (the college’s official history book), “she ultimately left to assume a new job—and a marriage—in Baltimore.”
Upon her departure from Cypress College, she married Dr. Irving McPhail. She joined him in Baltimore and began teaching graduate-level students in a doctoral program in community college leadership. The couple also authored a book on leadership in higher education. Upon his death in 2000, she succeeded him as president of St. Augustine’s University.
“Before I became president at Cypress, I met Christine through ACCCA, the League, and other professional organizations in California,” wrote Dr. Margie Lewis, who was selected as Cypress College’s 9th president in 1999, succeeding Dr. Johnson McPhail. “She was also a mentor for me, very encouraging of my interest in applying to presidencies and even went out of her way to encourage me to apply to Cypress when she knew that she would be leaving.”
Prior to her presidency at Cypress College, Dr. Johnson McPhail served in posts at Kings River College in Reedley, CA, at State Center Community College District in Fresno, and at Fresno State University.
She was a community college graduate, earning her degree at Fresno City College, before earning both bachelor’s and masters degrees, along with a teaching credential, at Fresno State University. She later earned her doctorate in higher education at the University of Southern California.
“Dr. Johnson is an extremely effective leader, one who is respected on campus, in the community, and across the country,” said Dr. Tom Harris, then Chancellor of the North Orange County Community College District, at her final Cypress College commencement in 1998.
At the ceremony, Dr. Harris presented Dr. Johnson McPhail with a resolution from then Assemblymember Curt Pringle and noted similar recognitions from the NOCCCD Board of Trustees, the Cypress City Council, the Academic Senate of Cypress College, and the Cypress College Associated Student.
“These resolutions formally recognize what we have all come to know from working with you during the past few years,” Dr. Harris said. “You are a visionary and talented leader, who has the ability to put students at the forefront of all of your guidance and decision making and that ability makes our community and our state stronger.”
In addition to building connections in the community, Dr. Johnson McPhail also led during a time of economic strife, taking over as the college faced deficits, budget cuts, and impacts from the Orange County bankruptcy.
Dr. Johnson McPhail was “a nationally renowned champion for leadership development and training of underrepresented populations,” according to her biography at the McPhail Group. Several of the tributes on her Facebook page are from educational leaders who had been her students.
“Dr. McPhail has served in numerous faculty and executive leadership positions in colleges and universities throughout the United States,” the bio states. “She has trained hundreds of emerging and executive leaders helping them accomplish their leadership career aspirations.”
She also is the author of numerous leadership books and articles.
In 2010, Dr. Johnson McPhail was recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) at their 90th annual convention.
“Dr. McPhail has labored for decades at the nexus of practice, research and policy in community college education,” Dr. George Boggs, then-president of AACC said at the time. “Her stellar efforts have opened doors to higher education for thousands of students, but her work has especially benefited African-American, Latino and Mexican-American students.”