With ‘mixed emotions,’ Stanislaus State president announces she is retiring in June
Stanislaus State University President Ellen Junn announced she is retiring after nearly 40 years in higher education.
A news release Wednesday said her retirement will take effect at the end of the academic year in June. The university president shared the news in a video message and letter to students, staff and community members.
Junn served for 37 years with the California State University system and was the first Korean American woman to oversee a four-year public university.
“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,” Junn said. “After more than a year of discussions with my family and much planning and preparation, this is now the right time.”
Junn has served as president of Stanislaus State in Turlock since July 2016. In a career spanning 39 years, Junn held administrative positions at five other California State University campuses.
Among her accomplishments at Stanislaus State, Junn created the Central Valley First-Generation Scholarship Initiative to attract students from the region to Stanislaus State, and also launched CareerReadyU to help students prepare for careers.
She worked to address gaps in graduation rates and implemented programs to support students. Under her leadership, the university received more than $69 million in funding to build a classroom building, renovate the Magnolia Mansion and begin renovation of the Acacia Building at the university’s Stockton campus.
Other projects included a $1 million-plus naming campaign and renovation for the J. Burton Vasche Library at the Turlock campus and opening of the university student center designed by student representatives.
Junn will continue to lead Stanislaus State for the next six months. The CSU will begin a national search to find a new university president. An interim president will be appointed, the news release said.
“Many thousands of students have benefited from Dr. Junn’s wise leadership,” said CSU interim Chancellor Jolene Koester. “Thanks to her efforts as president of Stanislaus State, students in the Central Valley now have greater access to the life-transforming power of a Cal State degree.”
Koester praised Junn for advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. She called Junn a “trailblazer” and inspiration to many, after showing that women of color can reach the higher levels of academia.
Top CSU officials will choose a committee to assist with selecting a new president. The panel will include community and campus stakeholders. An open forum will be held at Stanislaus State for public input.
Junn said in the news release that the university is well staffed to continue with its mission. “We have an exceptionally talented, cohesive and highly functioning cabinet and strong, visionary teams within each division,” Junn said. “Their combined talent, along with outstanding faculty, student and staff leaders, will continue to move the campus forward.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 2:36 PM.
