Cal. State Long Beach to Welcome New President in August

Cal State Long Beach will welcome the new University President Jane Close Conoley to campus this August. Conoley’s first official day in the position is supposed to be July 15; however, the house that is traditionally for the University President, which is located in Long Beach near campus, was in need of repair.

Conoley has spent about an hour and a half every week, speaking with former Interim President Donald Para on the phone in preparation for the transition after Para retires.

“The size of Long Beach itself is daunting,” said Conoley. “But Para has helped give perspective.”

President Para said he is working to make everything go as smooth as possible for Conoley. “She’s already committed to student success, she already gets it,” he said. “She had that mindset before she applied.”

Conoley said that she plans to arrange briefings on various topics. Her goal is to get up to speed with as much as she can, as fast as she can, she said.  Her goal as the new president is to be very in tune with the needs of the student body.  “Each campus has its own story,” she said. “The good news for me is I’ve been on five other campuses already, so I know the big issues.”

Conoley said she feels that sometimes those who live in Long Beach don’t always understand the high reputation the city has throughout the country but she said that she knows working in this city, on this campus, is a huge opportunity.

regions: Los Angeles

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