Acting Cal State Long Beach President Named

An interim president of Cal State University, Long Beach, was announced Thursday morning as the search continues for a replacement to outgoing president F. King Alexander. The university's public information office issued the following news statement:

Donald J. Para, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), has been appointed as the university’s interim president.  His appointment, which was announced this morning by CSU Chancellor Timothy White, becomes effective July 1.

During his 26 years at CSULB, Para has served in several leadership positions including interim provost, associate dean and dean of the College of the Arts.

“I am honored to serve as the interim president for Cal State Long Beach, and I look forward to providing continuity in leadership during this time of transition,” said Donald Para.  “In this capacity, I look forward to pursuing the university-wide priorities that have been established by our students, faculty and staff and championed by outgoing President F. King Alexander. 

“Cal State Long Beach has been my campus home for nearly 25 years. During this time, I’ve seen first-hand how it has grown to be one of the nation’s premier public universities,” Para continued. “Our faculty and staff take seriously the CSU’s mission to serve those who live, work and raise children in nearby communities. We are equally proud that this campus is the university of choice for thousands of prospective college students who live throughout California and the country.” 

In his current role as the chief academic officer of CSULB, Para provides academic leadership for the university and promotes excellence in all aspects of the university’s academic mission, including undergraduate and graduate education, research and creative activity, international education, service learning, community engagement, service to the profession and faculty and staff development. 

Prior to his appointments at CSULB, Para served as chair of the Department of Music at Cal State L.A.  He was previously a member of the faculty with teaching areas including music theory, musicianship and composition at his alma mater, Western Michigan, where he earned a B.M. in music education and a M.M. in music composition.  He earned a Ph.D. in music composition from Michigan State University. 

In March, F. King Alexander announced that he would be stepping down from his position as president of CSULB to accept the position as president of Louisiana State University.   Chancellor White and the CSU Board of Trustees will soon commence a national search for the next campus president. 

“I am confident Provost Para will continue to advance our university priorities while working closely with our various campus leadership groups,” Alexander said in a statement to the campus community. “We are very fortunate to have Provost Para in this new capacity.”