Ex-CSUN President Jolene Koester appointed interim CSU chancellor

Former Cal State Northridge President Jolene Koester was appointed interim chancellor of the Long Beach-based California State University system Wednesday.

Koester, who will assume the post May 1, will temporarily replace Joseph Castro, who resigned last month amid questions about his handling of sexual harassment complaints against an administrator while he served as president of Fresno State.

“The CSU and its 23 campuses make a significant impact on California and the nation, and I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve as their interim chancellor,” Koester said in a statement. “The commitment of our world-class faculty, staff, administrators, executives, and trustees deeply align with my values to provide life-changing educational opportunities for our students. I look forward to learning and providing my skills to guide the university during this transformational time in CSU history.”

Koester served as CSUN president from 2000-11.

She previously spent 17 years at Cal State Sacramento in various teaching and administrative roles, including service as vice president for academic affairs.

Her appointment as interim CSU chancellor will be effective for 12 months, during which the Board of Trustees will search for a permanent chancellor.