Sonoma State University this week announced the hiring of Michael E. Spagna as its new university president. Spagna has been serving as interim president of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt since 2024; prior to that he spent nearly two decades in various leadership positions at California State University, Northridge. Spagna will serve at the fourth president of SSU in the past four years.
Spagna said he’s looking forward to continuing SSU’s legacy of “educational excellence” and strengthening its “deep connection to the community.”
“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,” said Spagna in an announcement of his hiring.
Spagna joins SSU following a year of turmoil for the state university. In January, interim university president Emily Cutrer announced the school was facing a $21 million budget deficit and said cuts to staple degree programs, longtime faculty and the university’s Division II athletics program would be necessary.
Among Spagna’s top priorities will be to stabilize and reverse recent lowering-enrollment trends. Since 2015, SSU’s enrollment has dropped by 38%, SSU officials told NBb in August. Peak enrollment in 2015 was 9,408 students; in the 2024-25 school year, enrollment was down to around 5,800.
“Sonoma State’s success is critically important to the [Cal State University system], and the committee was confident that Dr. Spagna possesses the experiences and qualities to lead the university at this consequential moment in its history,” said CSU Trustee Mark Ghilarducci, who chaired the presidential search committee.
Spagna will begin in his new role Jan. 20 2026.
