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Thank you Dennis, I found the video and it made me have hope, he is articulate and seems driven and purposeful. I recall my first interaction with JCC, I went to convocation her first year and was excited to hear her vision for the University. She was wholly unprepared and came off as sloppy and missed the opportunity to project leadership. Unfortunately, her tenure here in my opinion was a reflection of that first impression.
President Blanchard come across very differently and I will bet he does a far better job. I see an improvement. How well he can help the University navigate the current disaster of turning the NCAA into a Pro league is yet to be seen. 
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I found a good 22 minute on-line interview with him at THE SUCCESS CHRONICLES #404 - DR. LOREN J. BLANCHARD. It will give you a pretty good insight into his up bringing and his professional career. It is about 2 years old. Previous Message
And a little more info...
Loren J. Blanchard selected new president at Cal State Long Beach
Loren J. Blanchard, the president of the University of Houston-Downtown, will take the helm of Cal State Long Beach on May 1.
Blanchard previously was California State University’s executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, leading the development of Graduation Initiative 2025, a decade-long effort to increase degree attainment.
“CSULB is renowned for being a student-centered university that fosters a culture of holistic support, community engagement and inclusive excellence,” Blanchard said in a statement. “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.”
At the University of Houston-Downtown, Blanchard oversaw a public university of more than 13,000 students. During his tenure, the university launched and monitored a new strategic plan and more than doubled its annual fundraising to $5.2 million, according to a university biography.
Blanchard has previously held leadership positions at Xavier University of Louisiana, the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, and the University of Louisiana System. He has a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s from McNeese State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.
Blanchard will receive an annual salary of $543,742 and will live in the university’s presidential residence. In addition, he will be eligible for performance-based pay of up to 10% of his base salary, annual deferred compensation of $61,244, and a monthly auto allowance of $1,000.
Cal State Long Beach’s previous president, Jane Close Conoley, retired in June.
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Here is his Bio...
Loren J. Blanchard to serve as president of Cal State Long Beach
Published January 28, 2026
Campus Update
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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.
CSULB president-designate Loren J. Blanchard
Loren J. Blanchard
“I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled to be named Cal State Long Beach’s next president,” Blanchard said. “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.
“The committee was impressed with Dr. Blanchard’s demonstrated strategic and inclusive leadership style and strong commitment to student success,” said CSU Trustee Christopher Steinhauser, who chaired the president search committee. “We have every confidence that he will lead Cal State Long Beach adeptly, collaboratively, and with integrity and vision.”
Blanchard’s distinguished career in higher education spans 35 years. As president of the University of Houston-Downtown for the past five years, he led the university through a comprehensive strategic plan implementation and tracking process; increased institutional funding through grants, foundation gifts and legislative appropriations at both state and federal levels; secured support for expansion of the campus; strengthened community relations; built strategic alliances and optimized student success through integrated initiatives.
He previously served six years as the CSU’s executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, where he led the development of Graduation Initiative 2025, the CSU’s 10-year student success effort that resulted in improved educational outcomes across the system.
Blanchard’s other leadership positions included provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana, associate vice chancellor for Academic and Multicultural Affairs at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, and two roles within the University of Louisiana system: provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs and associate vice president for Accreditation, Leadership & Accountability.
A first-generation college graduate, Blanchard holds a bachelor's degree in speech pathology education from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master's degree in education from McNeese State University, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Georgia.
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As you said, some good and some ???! Since he has been in the CSU system before, he must know something about D1 sports, since a good portion of the CSU system has D1 sports and teams. Time will tell! I had really hoped that we could have kept Andrew Jones as a full-time president since he has specific knowledge of Long Beac State. He has said since he got here that there was no chance that would happen!!! Previous Message
https://www.csulb.edu/news/article/loren-j-blanchard-to-serve-as-president-of-cal-state-long-beach
Of Note
"He previously served six years as the CSU’s executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, where he led the development of Graduation Initiative 2025, the CSU’s 10-year student success effort that resulted in improved educational outcomes across the system."
A bit of a familiarity hire, which can be good bad or neutral. Who knows.
Univ Houston Downtown only has club sports from what I can tell. All this means to me is that he doesn't have recent experience with a university with DI athletics programs. I bet he's very aware of the challenges though.
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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.
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on 1/28/2026, 9:30 pm, in reply to "