Contact: Larry Cox ,
(818) 677-2130
larry.cox@csun.edu

CSUN President Wilson resigns to head Nellie Mae Foundation

"Blenda has made an indelible impression at CSUN," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "First, she had the courage and vision to keep classes open at CSUN in the aftermath of the devastating 1994 earthquake, which caused nearly $400 million in damage to the campus."

"Second, in directing the renovation at CSUN, she has not only overseen the physical restoration of the campus, but she has worked hard to ensure that CSUN, will be an enhanced learning environment for students of all backgrounds into the 21st century. We thank her for her contributions and wish her well in her new endeavors," Reed said.

Wilson has served as CSUN president for nearly seven years, assuming the presidency on Sept. 1, 1992. Since her appointment to CSUN, she has initiated a major strategic planning effort to revitalize the university and to redefine its mission in response to the many challenges facing higher education in California and the nation.

"I have made a difficult personal decision to pursue the values I share with the Cal State Northridge community in a very exciting new role," Wilson said.

"At CSUN, it's important to note that the strategic directions we've defined are totally congruent with the system's Cornerstones project and the priorities of the chancellor," Wilson said. "That makes me confident that CSUN's broad leadership cadre, the Strategic Planning Governance Group, the Faculty Senate and Goals Teams will be able to continue to advance the university's strategic priorities without significant changes in direction. With the support of Chancellor Reed and the guidance of my staff and executive team, I hope to effect a smooth transition in leadership between now and the end of the semester.

"In leaving, I will miss my friends and colleagues at CSUN and in this extraordinary community. But at the same time, I'm excited to be joining the Nellie Mae Foundation to positively impact the lives of children and adults throughout New England." The Nellie Mae Foundation's mission is to promote accessibility, quality and effectiveness of education from pre-school through postsecondary levels for all ages, especially for undeserved populations in six New England states.

Wilson serves on governing boards of the James Irvine Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Trust and Union Bank. She is past chair of the American Association of Higher Education.

Wilson previously was chancellor of the University of Michigan, Dearborn from 1988-92 and served on the governor's cabinet as executive director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education from 1984-88. She began her career in higher education administration at Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1969. She was associate dean at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education from 1972-82 and was vice president of Effective Sector Management at Independent Sector from 1982-84.

Wilson earned her bachelor's degree in English and secondary education at Cedar Crest College, her master's in education at Seton Hall University, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration at Boston College. She is married to Louis Fair, Jr., a management consultant.