Lynn Mahoney Appointed President of San Francisco State University

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Lynn Mahoney, Ph.D., to serve as president of San Francisco State University (SFSU). Mahoney currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs for California State University, Los Angeles.

“San Francisco State is the city’s vibrant and diverse nexus for academics, culture and advocacy. The transformative education offered at SF State uplifts the lives of those who earn a degree, and graduates go on to become the community’s next generation of leaders,” said Mahoney. “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.”

Mahoney becomes the 14th president of SFSU and the first woman appointed to serve in the role in a permanent ​capacity. She will join the campus in her new capacity on July 15. Mahoney succeeds Leslie E. Wong who will be retiring in July 2019 after 46 years in higher education including service as SFSU president for the past seven years.

“Throughout her career, Dr. Mahoney has been dedicated to student success and has made a profoundly positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of students across the CSU,” said CSU Trustee Rebecca Eisen, chair of the SFSU search committee. “She is the type of bold thinking leader who will continue to elevate SFSU.”

As the chief academic officer at Cal State LA, Mahoney’s portfolio of responsibilities includes oversight of all eight of the campus’ colleges as well as the library and all academic support units.

From 2008 through early 2015, Mahoney held various roles at California State University, Long Beach including associate vice president for undergraduate studies and interim vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies where she oversaw enrollment planning and institutional research among other areas. Her other professional experience in higher education includes leadership positions at Purchase College, State University of New York, where she was associate provost for integrative learning and vice president for students as well as a member of the faculty.

Mahoney earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University.