The California State University Board of Trustees has appointed Michael Spagna as the new president of Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CSU officials announced.
Spagna, who is currently interim president of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, will take over as president of Sonoma State on Jan. 20.
Spagna has spent decades in the CSU system, serving in various roles at CSU Dominguez Hills and CSU Northridge before being named Cal Poly Humboldt’s interim president in August 2024.
CSU Trustee Mark Ghilarducci, who chaired the presidential search committee for the Board of Trustees, said in a news release that Spagna “is an engaging and respected leader who has a strong record of building trust and fostering collaboration and partnerships that benefit the universities and communities he’s served.”
Spagna said in the release he was “deeply honored to be entrusted to lead Sonoma State University,” and looks forward to “the opportunity to collaborate with SSU’s dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni and stakeholders in launching a new and exciting era for the university.”
Emily Cutrer has been serving as Sonoma State’s interim president since July 2024 after taking over for Nathan Evans, who served as acting president when the university’s previous president Mike Lee retired after he was placed on leave by the CSU system for reaching an agreement with protesters on divestment from Israel.