Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
edmondsk@aascu.org

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2022 – The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) applauds the appointment of Jolene Koester as the interim chancellor of the California State University system.  

Jolene was an exemplary AASCU member during her time as president of California State University, Northridge, serving as chair of the AASCU Board of Directors. As board chair, she was responsible for the process that led to the appointment of Muriel Howard, the first woman and person of color to lead AASCU. 

Throughout her tenure as board chair, Jolene was a steadfast champion of greater diversity and inclusion, placing an emphasis on building more pathways for women and people of color to serve as college presidents. 

She will bring her deep commitment to higher education to this important role and will be a tremendous leader for CSU during this time of transition. On behalf of the entire AASCU family, we look forward to partnering with her moving forward as she takes the helm at one of the largest university systems in the country.

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of nearly 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions Delivering America’s Promise.