A child of teachers, Harold Hoyle, was raised in San Diego, California. After attending public school K-12, he earned his B.S. in Religious Studies from Westmont College where he directed off campus ministries. He then proceeded to San Diego State University where he earned his M.S. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in multicultural counseling. During this time, Hoyle also worked with and served as the director of the non-governmental organization, Central American Mission Partners (CAMP). CAMP was dedicated to economic development and human rights in Latin America. After receiving his Pupil Personnel Service, Multiple Subjects, and Single Subjects teaching credentials, Hoyle began working as a teacher and counselor in the correctional and alternative schools. Hoyle earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Professional School of Psychology in San Francisco, California, where he specialized in drug and alcohol assessment and treatment.
Hoyle began teaching at SCU as an Adjunct in 1995 and is presently a Senior Lecturer in the graduate School of Education and Counseling Psychology. During the late 1990s, he designed and launched the first virtual classroom with high school students in the nation, garnering praise from television and print media including the New York Times. He was a board member of Eastside Heroes for many years. He has taught courses for the Counseling Psychology and the undergraduate Child Studies departments. He presently teaches courses in the MATTC program.
He is a sought-after speaker and consultant in the areas of character education, assessment, special education, and correctional and alternative schools. His current research and publication interests include special education, liberation psychologies, and faith-based educational initiatives. Hoyle is a licensed psychologist that specializes in educational assessment.
He enjoys surfing, cycling, and spending time following the adventures of his children and grandchildren.