President's Office
Welcome to the home page for California State University, Northridge’s chief executive, President Dianne F. Harrison. The President’s Office website provides access to President Harrison's biography, speeches, messages to the campus community, and other communications; university planning goals and initiatives; and the major organizational areas of the university, including its divisions and colleges. Announcements, news and other items of interest related to the President are listed below. For the latest in other university-wide news and achievements, visit CSUN Today.
CSU to Continue Primarily Virtual Instruction in Spring 2021
September 10, 2020
California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White announced that all CSU campuses will continue the spring 2021 semester with courses delivered primarily virtually.
Action Plan for Improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
August 31, 2020
President Harrison announced the launch of a Campus Action Plan for Improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Black Students, Faculty and Staff.
The Action Plan for Improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
President Harrison's Welcome Address Shows Reasons for Hope
August 24, 2020
On Thursday, August 20, President Harrison delivered her annual Welcome Address to kick off the 2020-21 academic year with a direct assessment of the challenges ahead — as well as reasons for optimism., The annual address, which traditionally marks the start of the new academic year, was presented virtually.
CSUN as One Fall 2020 Plan Released
June 30, 2020
President Harrison released the details of CSUN's plans for the Fall 2020 semester. As previously announced, the university will offer Fall 2020 courses primarily through virtual instruction, supplemented with a limited number of face-to-face undergraduate and graduate courses and labs with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.
Cheers to the Class of 2019–20
May 15, 2020
On Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m., CSUN will hold its first-ever distanced and virtual celebration of its 2019-20 graduates. Visit the CSUN Celebration 2020 website for more information and to watch the celebration video.
President Harrison Postpones Retirement through Fall 2020
March 20, 2020
The California State University announced that President Harrison will postpone her previously announced plan to step away from her position at the end of June 2020 and continue to lead CSUN through fall 2020 to ensure stability and continuity as the university navigates the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Read the full press release.
CSUN Receives Carnegie Classification
January 31, 2020
California State University, Northridge is among the 119 U.S. colleges and universities selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive the 2020 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The six-year designation indicates institutional commitment to community engagement.
CSUN Receives $1 Million Gift from Autodesk
January 15, 2020
California State University, Northridge has received a $1 million gift from design software giant Autodesk to support the creation of a Center for Integrated Design and Advanced Manufacturing at the university.
Late Professor Bequeathes $1 Million to Men’s Volleyball
January 13, 2020
In accordance with the wishes of History Professor James Sefton, who passed away at age 78 in 2018 and taught for more than 50 years at the university, his trust has established a $1 million endowment for the James E. Sefton Men’s Volleyball Scholarship Endowment at CSUN, to provide annual scholarships to student-athletes in men’s volleyball.
President Dianne F. Harrison Announces Retirement
November 21, 2019
President Harrison announced that she will step away from the presidency of CSUN effective June 30, 2020. Read President Harrison's full announcement.
CSUN Ranks Among Top 10 Universities Awarding Degrees to Minority Students
December 9, 2019
CSUN ranked seventh in the nation among colleges and universities awarding undergraduate degrees to minority students. The magazine’s annual ranking of the “Top 100 Producers of Bachelor’s Degrees” appears in its Oct. 28 edition. Read the full story. Read more
CSUN’s Transformative Programs Highlighted at Gala
November 12, 2019
On November 7, 2019, President Harrison welcomed economic luminaries at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Eddy Awards gala dinner, an event that honors businesses, cities and universities that work to raise standards of living for L.A. County residents. Harrison serves as chair of the LAEDC, the first academic leader elected to serve in this role.
President Harrison Pens Chapter on Climate Change
September 18, 2020
President Harrison has penned the first chapter of the 2019–20 “President to President” thought leadership series. In the chapter, “Educating the Environmental Stewards of Tomorrow: Presidential Leadership and Climate Change,” she examines the vital leadership role that colleges play in addressing climate change, on campus and in the larger community.
CSUN No. 5 in Sustainable Index
August 26, 2019
California State University, Northridge has earned another stellar ranking from the nation’s largest organization for sustainability in higher education.
This week, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) ranked CSUN No. 5 among all master’s degree-level institutions in its Sustainable Campus Index.
Support for All Students Regardless of Immigration Status
November 12, 2019
President Harrison has released statements in support of students, particularly those who may be affected by anticipated changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.