The California State University board named Michael Spagna Sonoma State University’s new president, tasking him with stabilizing the campus after a year of steep enrollment declines and a budget shortfall that prompted program eliminations, staff cuts and the threatened end of the athletics program. Spagna will assume the role Jan. 20 after serving as interim president at Cal Poly Humboldt and holding senior roles across the CSU system. Sonoma’s headcount is down more than 13% year‑over‑year, and earlier this year the interim leadership announced broad cuts and a plan to boost enrollment by 20% over five to seven years. Trustees said Spagna’s experience with CSU institutions made him the right candidate to lead a financial and enrollment turnaround while repairing governance relationships on campus.