Dianne Harrison, president of California State University, Northridge, announced that she will step down as president on June 30, 2020. Dr. Harrison was named president of the university in 2012.
In a statement announcing her resignation, President Harrison said “My husband John and I have tremendous appreciation for the incredible support you have shown to us, and the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CSUN since 2012. It has been an honor and privilege to lead our great institution for almost eight years.”
Before her appointment as the fifth president of California, State University, Northridge, Dr. Harrison served as the first woman president of California State University, Monterey Bay. She was named to that post in 2006. Prior to CSU Monterey Bay, she worked at Florida State University, where she served for nearly 30 years in various capacities, first as a faculty member, then as dean of social work, associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of graduate studies and vice president for academic quality and external programs.
President Harrison’s academic and research areas of expertise include HIV prevention among women and minority populations and higher education issues related to university leadership. She is the co-author of two books including Cultural Diversity and Social Work Practice (Charles C. Thomas Publishers,1991).
Dr. Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies and a master of social work degree from the University of Alabama. She earned a Ph.D. in social work at Washington University in St. Louis.