CSUB has rare opportunity in search for next chancellor

President invites Roadrunners, residents of the region to Dorè Theatre for Feb. 8 forum

By California State University, Bakersfield

January 25^th, 2023

California State University, Bakersfield will have the rare honor of hosting a listening tour to help shape the search for the next chancellor of the CSU, the largest, most diverse and inclusive system of public higher education in the country.

CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny is inviting all members of the Roadrunner community — as well as residents of our region — to share their perspectives and questions at the open forum, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Dorè Theatre.

Both of the committees appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees to conduct the search will be on campus to gather information from participants on what they want in a leader.

“We are honored that the committees chose to hold one of only three open forums right here in Bakersfield,” Zelezny said. “This is an excellent opportunity to represent our region’s unique needs, as well as our hopes and vision. We will have a key role in helping to identify the essential characteristics of the next chancellor and guiding the recruitment process.”

Wenda Fong, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees, is affording CSUB an additional opportunity for engagement with the appointment of President Zelezny to one of the two committees leading the search.

In addition to the CSUB open forum, two others will be held — one on Feb. 7 at the Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach and the other on Feb. 9 at San Francisco State University. All three will be livestreamed from 12-2 p.m.

Register to attend the virtual forums here. The Chancellor’s Office has created a website with more information on the search, the committees, how to submit a nomination for chancellor and an opportunity to provide feedback.

“I encourage you to seize this opportunity and join with your CSUB family — as well as our community — at the Dorè Theatre Feb. 8 for this critical open forum,” President Zelezny said. “Your presence will demonstrate to the search committee and the entire CSU community that this campus is deeply committed to finding the best leader for the nation’s most diverse and inclusive four-year university system.”

Created in 1960, the California State University advances its mission to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the needs of California and its residents. With 23 campuses serving approximately 460,000 students and 52,000 faculty and staff, it is a vital economic engine for California and critical to providing the skilled workforce the state needs.

Responsibility for the CSU is vested in the 25-member Board of Trustees, which appoints the chancellor, the university system’s chief executive officer. Together with the campus presidents, the chancellor and trustees develop system-wide policies.