California State University, Long Beach President Jane Close Conoley will be one of the six CSU women presidents to be honored at Leadership California’s Legacy Leadership Awards on Monday, April 27 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza.
The Leadership California Trailblazer Award, initiated in 2010, honors women leaders of California who have proven to be pioneers in their field. According to the release, the other CSU presidents honored along with Conoley will be Mildred García, CSU Fullerton; Dianne F. Harrison, CSU Northridge; Karen S. Haynes, CSU San Marcos; Soraya M. Coley, California Poly Pomona; and Lisa Rossbacher, CSU Humboldt.
Conoley has authored or served as editor of 21 books and more than 100 chapters, refereed journal articles and technical reports, according to the release. Her most recent work investigates applying the science of positive psychology to educational settings. Before being elected as CSULB’s president, Conoley served as dean of the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at the University of Southern California, Santa Barbara and has held numerous professorial positions previously.
“The recognition is a richly deserved honor for an accomplished group of academic leaders who have dedicated their professional and personal lives to the service of all people in California,” said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White in a statement. “As mentors, CSU’s six women presidents serve as exemplary models for women leaders in higher education and beyond. We, as a system, laud them for their commitment to transforming their campuses, our state and the nation.”
Elected by the CSU Board of Trustees in January 2014, Conoley officially took office on July 15 as the first women to be appointed president of CSULB and the seventh president in 65 years to take the reigns.
“I’m honored to receive a Trailblazer Award from Leadership California. It is especially gratifying to share the distinction with five accomplished and highly-respected women who also serve as CSU presidents,” said Conoley in a statement. “I’m very proud to be president of Cal State Long Beach, and hope this accolade inspires and empowers young women in our universities and across the state to reach for the stars in everything they do.”