photo credit: California State University
Michael E. Spagna, the newly named permanent president of Sonoma State University.The California State University Board of Trustees has appointed a new president of Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park.

Michael Spagna, currently interim president of California State Polytechnic University at Humboldt, will take on the role in January 2026.

Spagna has spent decades in the CSU system, serving in various roles at CSU Dominguez Hills and CSU Northridge before being named Cal Poly Humboldt's interim president in August 2024.

Sonoma State math professor Elaine Newman said she welcomes the opportunity for stable leadership.

"I for one am looking forward to working with somebody new, somebody who is going to be committed to turning around this campus," Newman said. "I'm excited about finding more about his vision for the university, but I'm also going to be watching closely to see how transparent and collaborative he is."

Spagna is described as having a strong record of building trust and fostering collaboration and partnerships.

Newman said there plenty of bridge-building needed at the Rohnert Park campus at the tumultuous budget cut roll out, and reversal, earlier this year.

"Students and faculty at Sonoma State have really been suffering from the cuts in the last year and the root of those problems have stemmed from a lack of leadership," Newman said. "We really need leadership that is committed to rebuilding a thriving campus, that meets the needs of our local community. I think that's been hijacked by whatever agenda the Chancellor down in Long Beach has. Each campus, its importance to its local and regional community just can't be overstated."

Emily Cutrer has been serving as Sonoma State's interim president since July 2024 after taking over for Nathan Evans.

Evans was acting president when the university's previous president Mike Lee retired after he was placed on leave by the CSU system for reaching an agreement with student protesters on divestment from Israel.