Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, Cohort 1993-1994, was appointed president of CSU Bakersfield in Spring 2018.
Dr. Zelezny graduated high school early and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from Humboldt State, a Ph.D. in applied social psychology from Claremont Graduate University and an MBA from the Craig School of Business at Fresno State. Her doctoral journey began with the support of her CDIP faculty mentor Dr. Robert Levine, Professor of Psychology at Fresno State.
Prior to joining CDIP, she was a lecturer at Fresno State and remained on until completing her doctoral program. After completing her degree, she was promoted to an Assistant Professor.
Most recently, Dr. Zelezny served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Fresno State, a position she’s held since 2014. Under her leadership, The Philip Levine Reading Room and the Juan Felipe Herrera Laureate Lab were created, honoring two U.S. poets laureate who taught at Fresno State. She also changed the face of Fresno State’s faculty, making hires that addressed diversity and the gender gap.
“All of the mentoring I've received, starting with my Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) mentor Robert Levine, has been from very dedicated leaders in the CSU. CDIP was the first opportunity that opened up subsequent chances for me to serve and advance in different ways at the CSU.”
-- Dr. Lynnette Zelezny
Dr. Zelezny joined Fresno State in 1988 and served in a variety of roles including associate provost, dean and associate vice president for the Division of Continuing and Global Education, associate dean for the Craig School of Business and chair of the psychology department where she was also a lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor and professor. An American Council of Education Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, a nomination for the U.S. Professor of the Year awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and a National Institute of Mental Health grant are among Dr. Zelezny’s many accomplishments.