Mary A. Papazian Is Stepping Down From Presidency of San José State University

Mary A. Papazian announced today that she will resign as the president of San José State University at the conclusion of the fall semester, effective December 21, 2021.

The resignation comes on the heels of an investigation that university officials covered up allegations of sexual misconduct involving the former director of sports medicine at the university. Many members of the university’s swimming team alleged sexual misconduct during physical therapy sessions and university officials have been accused of attempting to cover up the incidents.

“This transition does not impact our intention and obligation to understand what occurred and how the university responded at the time,” stated President Papazian. “I made a promise to our community and to the affected student-athletes and their families, and I plan to honor it. My heart, apologies and prayers continue to be with those student-athletes who suffered a breach of trust during their time at the university.”

Dr. Papazian became president of San José State University on July 1, 2016. She had been president of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. Before becoming president of SCSU, Dr. Papazian was provost and senior vice president at Lehman College in The Bronx, New York. Earlier she was dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a professor of English at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Dr. Papazian is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles. She also earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in English literature at UCLA.