SF State President Lynn Mahoney receives President of the Year award

Woman in blazer smiling

The annual award is given by the California State Student Association

The California State Student Association (CSSA) awarded San Francisco State University President Lynn Mahoney with the Robert C. Maxson President of the Year award at the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees meeting on May 19.

CSSA is the single recognized voice for more than 425,000 students in the CSU system. Founded in 1959, the association is the acknowledged statewide student organization designed to represent, serve and protect the collective interests of CSU students.

“The past year has been difficult for everyone in higher education, but especially students,” President Mahoney said. “To be honored — this year particularly — by the students we are here to serve is truly gratifying and humbling. Thank you, CSSA and all our students, for this honor.”

The Robert C. Maxson President of the Year award is given each year by the association to one CSU campus president whose leadership reflects a commitment to the mission of the CSSA, who has demonstrated exceptional inclusion of students within the context of shared governance and who has assisted the CSSA in advancing its statewide policy agenda.

“President Mahoney is student-oriented and puts students first,” CSSA President Zahraa Khuraibet said. “A president whose first instinct is to meet student leaders when there is an issue and come up with solutions to move forward alongside their students.” 

President Mahoney serves as the 14th president of San Francisco State and is the first woman to hold this position in a permanent capacity. Since her tenure at SF State began in July 2019, President Mahoney has made great strides in helping the University navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for academic equity and more.

More information about President Mahoney can be found on the Office of the President website.