CVHEC BOARD NEWS: Stanislaus State President Ellen Junn to Retire

CVHEC Board Member is First Korean American Woman to Lead a U.S. Four-Year Public Institution of Higher Education

Stanislaus State President Ellen Junn announced Jan. 18 she will retire at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year capping 39 years of service in higher education – 37 years with the California State University and the last seven at the helm of CSUS.

Pres. Junn, who as a result will also vacate her seat on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors, shared the news in a video message and letter to campus and community members.

“It is with mixed emotions of anticipatory joy, and the bittersweet sadness of farewells to wonderful campus friends and colleagues, that I share with you the decision that I will retire at the end of this academic year,” Dr. Junn said. “After more than a year of discussions with my family and much planning and preparation, this is now the right time.

“It has been the greatest privilege and honor of my life to serve this remarkable institution of higher learning and to get to know our phenomenal students, dedicated faculty, caring staff and administrators and talented alumni who are the heart and soul of our University.”

Dr. Junn became Stanislaus State’s 11th president on July 1, 2016 when she also joined the CVHEC board.

She is the first Korean-American woman in the United States appointed to lead a four-year public institution of higher education and is the second woman to serve the University as its president.

Prior to joining Stan State, Pres. Junn held high-level administrative roles at five other CSU campuses: Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Fullerton, Fresno State, San José State and CSU Dominguez Hills.

“I join the CVHEC family in thanking Dr. Ellen Junn for her contribution to improving the well being and future of students in the Central Valley,” said Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director.  “We wish her the best as she prepares for retirement and enters the next phase of her life.”

See the CSUS press release full story.

See Turlock Journal story.