Loren Blanchard. Here is the text of the email I got.

Dear Beach Community:

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Loren J. Blanchard as the next president of Cal State Long Beach. He will assume the presidency on May 1.



Blanchard currently serves as president of the University of Houston-Downtown.



“I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled to be named Cal State Long Beach’s next president,” Blanchard said.

Loren J. Blanchard
“CSULB is renowned for being a student-centered university that fosters a culture of holistic support, community engagement and inclusive excellence. I look forward to joining the Beach community in the transformational work it does every day to turn dreams into reality for thousands of diverse and talented students.”



Blanchard succeeds Andrew Jones ‘82, who has served as acting president since August 2025 following the retirement of Jane Close Conoley.