President Conoley honored for being a student-centered leader

When accepting an award that was given to her for supporting student life, Cal State Long Beach President Jane Close Conoley credited the commitment of campus organizations and student affairs.

“I have to admit that throwing my support behind all of you is a very easy thing to do,” Conoley said to the group of Division of Student Affairs leaders. “You all exemplify the most tireless commitment to the well-being, and the holistic well-being, of our students.”

Conoley was presented with a Region VI President’s Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) on Wednesday. The award was given to her for her advancement in the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and initiatives.

“President Conoley is a dedicated leader devoted to student success,” Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Mary Ann Takemoto said in a letter of support. “She has a clear understanding of the work of Student Affairs and values our efforts to support students outside of the classroom.”

While introducing the president during Wednesday’s award presentation, Takemoto called Conoley a “great student-centered leader.”

“I know that if you are in academic retention, health and wellness, student engagement, ASI, housing and residential life and on and on, you are the ones that conceive and develop and implement the programs, experiences and services that make what this award is meant to recognize,” Conoley said. “My name might be on it, but it’s your names that really should be on it.”

NASPA’s Region VI encompasses California, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Arizona, Australia, China, Guahan (Guam), Hawai'i, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.