President's Office
Welcome to the home page for California State University, Northridge’s chief executive, President Dianne F. Harrison. The President’s Office website provides access to President Harrison's biography, speeches, messages to the campus community, and other communications; university planning goals and initiatives; and the major organizational areas of the university, including its divisions and colleges. Announcements, news and other items of interest related to the President are listed below. For the latest in other university-wide news and achievements, visit CSUN Today.
Statement on Recent Events in Charlottesville, Virginia
August 16, 2017
Like so many of you, I continue to grapple with the events of Charlottesville, Virginia, and the blatant display of racism and violence by those who actively seek to corrode our core values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for all people.
VPAC Renamed in Recognition of $17 Million Gift
July 27, 2017
CSUN’s Valley Performing Arts Center has been renamed the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts in recognition of a record $17 million gift from the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of Younes and Soraya Sarah Nazarian and their family. The gift will support the programming and operations of the award-winning performing arts center, which has become one of the cultural jewels of the region since its opening 6 years ago. The gift is one of the largest in the history of the California State University and the system’s largest single gift in support of the arts. Read the full story here.
2017-18 Budget Update
June 20, 2017
The California State University will receive a general fund increase of $189.7 million in the 2017-18 state budget. Of that allocation, $177.2 million is recurring funds that can be used for the general operation of the university and for enrollment growth of 2,500 full-time equivalent students across the system. An additional $12.5 million is provided in fixed one-time funding to support the university's Graduation Initiative 2025 effort.
Nearly 11,500 Graduate at 2017 Commencement
May 23, 2017
Starting with Honors Convocation on May 13 and continuing May 19 to 22 with seven commencement ceremonies, California State University, Northridge celebrated the close to another successful academic year, highlighted by nearly 11,500 graduates who completed their degrees.
2017 Honorary Degree Recipients Announced
April 28, 2017
California State University, Northridge will confer honorary doctorates on financial journalist William C. Griffeth and substance-abuse educator Michael Watanabe, president and CEO of Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP). Click here for details.
Update to Topic 8 (Diversity) Posted
April 18, 2017
A report on Topic 8 of the Help Make CSUN Shine Bright initiative, posed in Fall 2016 on the topic of diversity, is now available here. The update includes a link to an update to the university's Planning Priorities.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients Announced
March 28, 2017
CSUN will honor financial industry giant Milton Berlinski, reality TV trailblazer Mike Darnell and science and technology leader Patricia Maloney at its 2017 Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala scheduled on April 29. Click here for more information.
Matadors Celebrate Founders Day and Homecoming
February 16, 2017
This year's Founders Day celebration, held on Saturday, February 11, marked CSUN's first all-alumni gathering in nearly a decade and the return of Homecoming. Read the full story here.
President Harrison on Role of Universities in Preventing Sexual Assault
February 16, 2017
The Los Angeles Daily News has published a guest commentary by President Harrison on the occasion of the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, about the importance of continuing the progress that has been made in combating sexual violence on college campuses. Read the full commentary here.
President's Statement on White House Executive Order
January 30, 2017
Topic 8 Results on Diversity Now Available
December 5, 2016
Reaffirming our Commitment to Respect and Safety Post-Election
November 16, 2016
President Harrison has issued a letter to the campus community reaffirming CSUN's commitment to respect and safety following the election. Read the full letter here.
Nazarian College Campaign Reaches $25 million Goal
September 27, 2016
A $5 million gift from CSUN alumnus Harvey Bookstein and his wife, Harriet — both California State University, Northridge alumni and lifelong supporters of the university — has pushed CSUN over the top in a two-year campaign to raise $25 million for its college of business. Read the full story here.
President's 2016 Welcome Address Posted
August 29, 2016
President Harrison's 2016 Welcome Address, delivered on Thursday, August 26, is now posted. Also available at the page is a link to the video of the address, the program booklet, a downloadable copy of the address, and links to the slideshow and CSUN 2015-16 Year in Review video that played at the conclusion.
CSUN's Economic and Social Impact Report Released
July 18, 2016
A new economic and social impact study has found that California State University, Northridge generates $1.9 billion generated annually through spending and labor income and has led to the creation of more than 11,700 jobs. Read more