Dr. Lynn Mahoney— a trained historian known for her scholarship on race and gender— has been tapped to be the next president of San Francisco State University.
On Wednesday, university officials announced that Mahoney, who is currently the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Cal State Los Angeles will take the helm of the 120-year old institution. She will replace Dr. Les Wong who announced last year that he was retiring at the end of the academic school
year.
Mahoney will become the first permanent female president in the school’s history.
“If my mother was here, she would be shocked and proud,” said Mahoney, 55, in a conference call with reporters. “It’s a deep honor to have that designation placed on me and hopefully, I’m one of many more.”
Prior to becoming provost at Cal State Los Angeles, Mahoney served for seven years at Cal State Long Beach where she oversaw institutional research and enrollment planning. She also held faculty and administrative roles at Purchase College in New York.
“San Francisco State is the city’s vibrant and diverse nexus for academic, culture and advocacy,” she said. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, community members and campus administrators to ensure a welcome and inclusive environment for our students as is befitting of one of the most socially conscious cities in the country.”
