Presidential Transition

New President Named

• Dr. Dianne F. Harrison Named Fifth President of California State University, Northridge: On March 22, 2012, the Board of Trustees of the California State University appointed Dr. Dianne F. Harrison, president of California State University, Monterey Bay, the next president of California State University, Northridge. Dr. Harrison is expected to begin her appointment in June.

• First Address to the Campus Community by Dr. Dianne F. Harrison: On March 27, 2012, Dr. Harrison delivered her first address to the campus community at the Valley Performing Arts Center Courtyard.
• Dianne Harrison discusses her new position as president of CSUN: Daily Sundial interview with Dr. Harrison (March 22, 2012).
• New CSUN president named to replace Jolene Koester: Los Angeles Daily News article about Dr. Harrison's appointment (March 22, 2012).

Past Updates

• 10-Day Meeting Notice: Trustees' Selection Committee for President of CSU Northridge (February 10, 2012) (PDF).
• 10-Day Meeting Notice: Trustees' Selection Committee for President of CSU Northridge (January 10, 2012) (PDF).
• Provost Named as Interim President of California State University, Northridge: News release about the appointment of CSUN Provost Harry Hellenbrand as Interim President of Cal State Northridge effective January 1, 2012 (December 15, 2011).
• Northridge Presidential Search Process Extended: News release about the decision of the CSU Board of Trustees to extend the presidential selection process 90 days (December 5, 2011) (PDF).
• 10-Day Meeting Notice: Trustees' Selection Committee for President of CSU Northridge (November 22, 2011) (PDF).
• Presidential Search Committee Outlines Priorities: @CSUN news article about the October 27 open forum of the Presidential Selection Committee (November 7, 2011).
• Invitation to Open Forum with Presidential Search Committee, October 27, 2011 : Text to email invitation sent to the campus community (October 17, 2011).
• 10-Day Meeting Notice: Trustees' Selection Committee for President of CSU Northridge (October 17, 2011) (PDF).
• Northridge Presidential Search Committee to Hold First Meeting: California State University news release about an open forum to be hosted by the newly appointed presidential selection committee on October 27, 2011, and the launch of the search (October 14, 2011).
• CSU Board of Trustees Launches Search for New President:@CSUN news article about the presidential selection process being initiated by the CSU Board of Trustees (September 23, 2011).
• Trustees Modify Presidential Selection Process: News release about the California State University Board of Trustees' approval of the new presidential selection process (September 21, 2011).
• Update on Recruitment and Selection Process for Next Campus President: Message to the campus community about the status of the selection process (August 17, 2011).
• Cal State Northridge President Jolene Koester Announces Retirement: Official University news release about President Koester's announcement (May 9, 2011).
• A Personal Announcement: President Koester announces decision to step down as president by the end of 2011 (May 9, 2011).

Ad Hoc Transition Advisory Group

In her first address to the campus community on March 27, 2012, President Harrison announced plans to appoint an Ad Hoc Transition Advisory Group that would sunset in six months. As she mentioned in her address, the group will not supersede any existing committee or governance structure. Its purpose is to give her an opportunity to learn about the formal and informal traditions of the campus and to suggest, discuss, give feedback and advise on how her style and signature can be integrated into the university.

See the full membership of the group.

Praise for the Appointment

For more comments and reactions to Dr. Harrison's appointment from the Campus Advisory Committee for the Selection of the President, click here.

“One of the primary goals during the presidential search was to find someone with many of the qualities that Northridge had come to treasure in President Jolene Koester. Early in the interview process it became apparent that Dianne Harrison had many of these highly valued traits: a strong belief in shared governance; a commitment to the needs of a diverse campus and the communities that it serves; knowledge of CSU budgetary and enrollment issues; a dedication to faculty development and research; and an excellent record in community outreach and development.” —Steven Stepanek, CSUN Faculty President and Senate Chair

“We are very fortunate to have Dianne join our work at California State University, Northridge. I spend a significant amount of professional time in the greater Monterey community, and I have personally observed time and time again what an extraordinary job she has done on behalf of CSUMB.  She is respected and admired on campus and in the greater community on all levels. We very much look forward to bringing that level of attention and achievement home to CSUN.” —George S. Leis ’81 (Geography), President, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust

Click here for additional comments.

Transition Process

On September 21, 2011, the Board of Trustees announced the start of the selection process for the fifth president of California State University, Northridge.

This page provides news, updates and information related to the search.

Below are some important links regarding the search:

• Board of Trustees Policy for the Selection of the President (PDF)
• Committees
• Presidential Position Statement