Submitted by President William A. Covino
William A. Covino. Photo courtesy of Cal State L.A.In 2013 first-generation College of Humanities alumnus William Covino was appointed president of Cal State University, Los Angeles. Despite his packed schedule as he facilitates his institution’s transformation from a quarter to semester system, President Covino kindly made time to answer several questions about what it means to be in a position to impact so many students whose challenges resonate with his own.
How does it feel returning to Los Angeles after all these years to helm a university that’s so vital to its residents?
It’s been a terrific homecoming, and a great opportunity to strengthen the ties between the university and the region we serve. And it’s been a stroke of luck to be leading Cal State L.A. as we convert from a quarter calendar to a semester calendar, literally reinventing the university—its courses, programs, partnerships—with great energy and dedication from the faculty and staff.
So many of our students can relate to your roots as a first-generation college student who grew up in the San Fernando Valley and graduated Reseda High. What would you say to today’s students who aspire to senior leadership roles?
I hope that all of our graduates will see themselves as leaders. I have said repeatedly that great leaders are less interested in themselves than in the wel- fare of others. To emphasize this point, we have established the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good at Cal State L.A., through which our students, faculty, and staff will have increased opportunities to serve the communities in which we live and work. Students who experience the value of public service and community service, and become involved in positive change, will become our future leaders. So my advice to aspiring leaders is, “Get involved.”
I see that one of your stated central missions is to raise the profile of CSULA among area universities. Having attended UCLA and USC as well as CSUN—M.A. ’75 English)— do you feel that you particularly resonate with the CSU mission as a first generation student?
Absolutely. I remember juggling school and work, driving from classes at UCLA to teach accordion lessons in Granada Hills all evening, and working as a musician all weekend—bringing my books along to get some reading done on breaks. I was often exhausted, but also exhilarated. And I especially remember family dinners at which I’d talk excitedly about what I was reading and learning about. Some of my family nodded appreciatively, and others wanted to debate me about the value or truthfulness of this “college stuff.”
You’ve progressed toward leadership roles at increasingly diverse campuses. Has diversity been a major driver in your career?
Without diversity, learning does not take place. I first discovered this as a graduate student, reading through the works of American rhetorician and philosopher Kenneth Burke, who reminds us that we are each “one voice in a dialogue,” and that it is only through both cooperation and competition with other voices—representing opposing ideas, different backgrounds and experiences, and new ways of seeing and understanding—that we can transcend our own limits and the limits of others. With this in mind, I have sought leadership opportunities that afford me the chance to embrace and enrich the value of diversity.
What do you believe are some of the advantages of attending CSULA or CSUN over more high-profile institutions in the area?
Southern California is notable for a number of fine universities. The CSUs are especially notable for the dedication of the faculty to excellence in both teaching and scholarship; the determination of diverse, largely first-generation students to transform their lives; and the tendency of our graduates to give back to their communities and neighborhoods. Eighty percent of our Cal State L.A. alumni live within 50 miles of campus, working to improve the quality of life for us all.
How did you choose English as your field of study?
One of my English professors, Douglas Canfield, persuaded me. He explained that a deep understanding of English, American, and World literature involves familiarity with all of the subjects that deal with the representation of human action: aesthetics, philosophy, psychology, history, sociology, and so forth. Therefore English is, he proposed, the richest and mos t all-inclusive major. To all these dimensions of literary study, I later added my interest in rhetoric and the teaching of writing, which entails the study of the history of rhetoric and literacy, linguistics, cognitive processes, persuasion, and pedagogy. All in all, the English major has been for me a gateway to a very broadly based and exciting education.
How would you respond to students who are interested in English but think it might be an impractical degree choice?
In general, employers value communication skills, the capacity to work through complex problems, an appreciation of diversity and multiple perspectives, and the intellectual flexibility to find creative solutions. These are all elements of the English major. That said, there are many majors that also prize these capabilities, and open up a world of opportunities for student s.
Can you describe any standout memories from your CSUN days?
My CSUN master’s degree included my first opportunity to teach composition, an experience that was very rewarding and charted my course toward a Ph.D. in rhetoric. I especially treasure the great mentors who took an interest in my potential and helped me to fulfill it, in particular Bob Chianese, who retired recently, and remains a great friend. And some of my most vivid memories involve bumping into stars filming TV shows on campus—Rock Hudson filming Macmillan and Wife, and Lindsay Wagner filming The Bionic Woman, among others—I’ve always been a little star-struck.
And just for fun, since you’ve spoken about making extra money in your college days playing accordion at weddings and bar mitzvahs, is there any chance you’ll reprise your talents for a university function?
I’ve been working up to this, playing “Happy Birthday” on the accordion for staff celebrations in my office, and doing a tune or two at gatherings at our house. But nothing more than that just yet. One of these days, though, I may just pop up at the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagle ballroom with the accordion on my shoulders….◊