From eliminating dozens of academic programs and shutting down the athletics department to navigating contaminated water on campus, Sonoma State University has experienced an unforgettable and turbulent year.
All of these events unfolded during the tenure of Interim President Emily Cutrer, whose time in the role is coming to an end as the CSU Board of Trustees names the university’s next leader.
After months of searching, the California State University system announced Wednesday that Michael E. Spagna will become the next president of Sonoma State University.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted to lead Sonoma State University,” Spagna said in a CSU news release. “This university has a long history of educational excellence and a deep connection to the community that must continue to be strengthened. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with SSU’s dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and stakeholders in launching a new and exciting era for the university. Together we will ensure that SSU thrives and continues to serve as a vital anchor institution for the North Bay.”
Spagna currently serves as interim president of Cal Poly Humboldt, a position he has held since August 2024. Before that, he served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at CSU Dominguez Hills beginning in 2017. Earlier in his career, he held multiple roles at CSU Northridge, including serving as professor and dean of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education.
Spagna’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Special Education from UC Berkeley/San Francisco State University, a master’s degree from UCLA, and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University.
The Presidential Search Committee included 18 members representing faculty, staff, students, alumni, and CSU leadership, including Dr. Gerald L. Jones, Mildred García, and Ajay Gehlawat.
Sonoma State has experienced significant turnover at the top in recent years. Since 2016, the university has been led by Judy K. Sakaki (2016–2022), Ming-Tung “Mike” Lee (2022–2024), Nathan S. Evans (Acting, 2024), and Emily F. Cutrer (2024–present).
Leadership instability intensified after controversies surrounding both Sakaki’s final year and Lee’s brief presidency, which contributed to heightened scrutiny of campus governance.
Sakaki resigned in 2022 after sexual harassment allegations were made against her husband, Patrick McCallum. Following her departure, Mike Lee became president, but he also resigned in 2024 after making a deal with pro-Palestinian protestors who camped out on campus for 19 days.
During Cutrer’s tenure, the university implemented $24 million in budget reductions, eliminated nearly 100 faculty and staff positions, discontinued almost two dozen degree programs, eliminated its Division II athletics programs, and dissolved six academic departments.
These changes, combined with ongoing financial strain, have contributed to concerns about enrollment declines heading into the 2025–26 academic year.
Reaction to the presidential announcement was mixed online. One user on X responded to Sonoma State’s post by saying, “Bring back Athletics!!,” a reference to the department’s shutdown earlier this year.
Spagna will begin his presidency on January 20, 2026.
He will earn a base salary of $419,549, along with an annual housing allowance of $60,000 and a monthly auto allowance of $1,000. This is an increase of $40,000 more than the previous president’s salary, earned by Emily Cutrer.
The CSU Board of Trustees recently removed salary caps for presidents at five CSU campuses, allowing for higher compensation packages funded in part through campus-based auxiliaries.
