Back in November, the Turlock community learned that Dr. Joseph Sheley retiring as president of Stanislaus State University. With Sheley retiring on June 30, California State University Trustees have appointed Ellen N. Junn, Ph.D. as the President of Stanislaus State effective July 1.
Sheley’s impact and leadership as part of Stanislaus State has been readily seen by multiple medias, including National Public Radio which found them in the top 5 schools for upward mobility. Stanislaus State also found itself to be place where first generation college students could go to further their education. The NPR study found 60 percent of students attending Stanislaus State were first generation college students.
“Under the leadership of President Sheley, Stanislaus State has become an academic powerhouse in the Central Valley, providing students with a transformative educational experience and the region’s employers with job-ready graduates,” said Junn.
“I look forward to coming back to the Central Valley and am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the many dedicated faculty and staff who guide students along that journey and prepare them for achievements beyond the classroom.”
Junn brings in years of experience, serving for the last 25 years in various teaching and leadership positions at CSU Dominguez, CSU San Jose, CSU Fresno, CSU Fullerton, and CSU San Bernardino.
She is a highly educated individual with a Management Development Program from Harvard University and a CSU-Knight Collaborative Program Certificate from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Institute for Research in Higher Education. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Experimental and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Michigan and both a master’s and Ph.D. in cognitive and developmental psychology from Princeton University.
Starting a teaching career at CSU San Bernadino, she served as an assistant professor of psychology, and, in addition, she was an associate and full professor who taught child and adolescent students
While Junn worked in these leadership positions, she co-chaired the CSU San Jose Commission on Diversity, and established both the Undergraduate Research Initiative and African American Students Success and Hispanic Student Success Task Forces to increase graduation rates among students of color.
These efforts were also evident at CSU Fresno where she established the Center for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching, led campus-wide faculty development and founded both the Women’s Campus Connection, and the Asian Faculty and Staff Association.
Junn is widely published and has written professional journal articles on topics supporting the success of underserved students, the importance of university-community engagement, and strategies for supporting non-tenure track faculty.
“As a higher education veteran who has held leadership positions at multiple CSU campuses, Dr. Junn is an accomplished and visionary leader who understands the importance of partnering with faculty, the campus community and external stakeholders to bolster educational opportunities for students," said CSU Trustee Hugo N. Morales, who served as the chair of the Trustees’ Committee for the Selection of the President.
“She has a long history of always putting students first, and has expertise in working to increase academic achievement among students from underserved communities. She is skilled at connecting campus, organizational and political leaders to higher education.”
