Farewell & Thank You

As Cal State Long Beach’s first regularly appointed woman president, Jane Close Conoley bids farewell as she looks back on her time at The Beach, which she steered through a decade of growth and transformation. She navigated a global pandemic, launched record-breaking fundraising campaigns and strengthened community ties. Always motivated by her care for students, Conoley also invested heavily in student housing, expanded access to mental health and prioritized inclusive excellence. More than 100,000 students found their path under Conoley’s guidance — and The Beach will carry her legacy of compassion, courage and principled leadership for decades to come.