Varlotta’s first academic presidency was at
Hiram College, where she served for six years as the institution’s 22nd president. Varlotta left Hiram to assume the presidency of
California Lutheran University, a private
Hispanic-Serving Institution. Her work there began in September 2020. Varlotta arrived at Cal Lutheran at the height of the global pandemic, at a time when the university was facing its first budget deficit and enrollment shortfall in decades. In that same year, the university was dealing with major legal issues. It was being sued by some of its own students and employees and was also warned of a forthcoming lawsuit by a former U.S. congressman upset with the way the university was handling his archival materials. The legal dispute with the Galleglys was accompanied by a significant media and public relations campaign. According to
The Chronicle of Higher Education, the conflict evolved into a "full-fledged public relations battle" involving the university and its leadership. Reporting from
Inside Higher Ed noted that supporters of the Galleglys engaged in public attacks directed at President Varlotta, which included published threats to "hang her in effigy." Reporter David Jesse observed that these coordinated attacks, appearing alongside faculty and staff concerns regarding budget cuts, contributed significantly to the pressure on her administration. The faculty "resolution ― approved by a 122-3 faculty vote ― decried Varlotta's handling of university finances and said the third-year president has 'eroded and divided' the university's 'historically close' community." Following the faculty vote of no confidence, Board of Regents chairperson Ann Boynton issued a statement noting that Varlotta had "worked with determination and focus" during the COVID-19 pandemic and had implemented "difficult, yet necessary changes to stabilize the university’s financial position." Upon her departure from the presidency, she was appointed as the Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership at California Lutheran University. She assumed office on August 11, 2025, succeeding Chancellor William R. Groves. Varlotta oversees the university's operations across its five campuses in
Seattle,
Santa Barbara,
Los Angeles,
Yellow Springs (Midwest), and
Keene (New England). Upon beginning her tenure, Varlotta undertook a tour of the university's campuses to assess institutional needs. Before her presidencies, Varlotta spent 11 years at
California State University, Sacramento, ultimately serving as senior vice president of planning, enrollment management, and student affairs. She held other senior leadership roles at the
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and the
University of San Francisco. Earlier in her career, she served in mid-level roles at
Miami University (OH), the
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and
Syracuse University. == Professional service ==