California State University, Bakersfield President Lynette Zelezny to Retire in December

Lynnette Zelezny — who made history as the first woman to lead California State University, Bakersfield — has announced that she will retire on December 31.

“It has been the honor of my career to serve the families of this community and to join hands as we work, dream and strive together for a brighter tomorrow,” Dr. Zelezny said. “The Central Valley is the soul of California, and Kern County is the beating heart. I’ve never known such kind, hard-working, and welcoming people. I have made friends for life. With the CSUB spirit of resilience, grace, and grit. I am so proud to have been a part of the legacy of this great university, which is the hope and pride of this entire region.”

Before becoming the fifth president of the university in 2018, Dr. Zelezny was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Fresno State University in California. She had served in that role since 2014. Dr. Zelezny joined the psychology department faculty at Fresno State in 1988.

Professor Zelezny earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from what is now California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt in Arcata. She holds an MBA from Fresno State University and a Ph.D. in applied social psychology from Claremont Graduate University in California.