Loren J. Blanchard has been named president of Cal State Long Beach. He will assume the presidency on May 1. Blanchard currently serves as president of the University of Houston-Downtown.
The president search committee “was impressed with Dr. Blanchard’s demonstrated strategic and inclusive leadership style and strong commitment to student success,” said CSU Trustee Christopher Steinhauser, who chaired the president search committee. “We have every confidence that he will lead Cal State Long Beach adeptly, collaboratively, and with integrity and vision.”
Blanchard previously served six years as the California State University (CSU)’s executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, where he led the development of Graduation Initiative 2025, the CSU’s 10-year student success effort that resulted in improved educational outcomes across the system.
A first-generation college graduate, Blanchard holds a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology education from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s degree in education from McNeese State University, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Georgia.
