Loren J. Blanchard
Dr. Loren J. Blanchard began his service as President of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in May 2026. A proud first-generation college graduate and accomplished higher education leader, he has devoted his over 35-year career to expanding student opportunity and success.
Before joining CSULB, Dr. Blanchard served as President of the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), assuming office in March 2021 as the university’s seventh permanent chief executive. During his tenure at UHD, he led the implementation of a university strategic plan centered on student success. He also championed strengthened graduation outcomes, expanded community and industry partnerships, increased philanthropic support and grant activity, and elevated UHD’s visibility and reputation locally and nationally.
Dr. Blanchard previously served for six years as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for the California State University (CSU) system. In that role, he guided academic policy and student affairs priorities for the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year public university system and led development of Graduation Initiative 2025, the CSU’s long-term student success effort aimed at improving educational outcomes across the 22-campus system.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Blanchard was Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana. He has also held senior leadership roles at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and the University of Louisiana system. Throughout his career, Dr. Blanchard has emphasized the transformative power of higher education, the importance of student-centered institutions, and the responsibility of universities to serve the public good.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology education from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s degree in education from McNeese State University in his hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Georgia.
